Chiang Mai ToyRide 2008

In Aid of Disadvantaged Children

www.chiangmaitoyride.com

January 6th Event Summary

On Sunday January 6th, hundreds of riders on motorcycles of all types and sizes, laden with toys, games and stuffed animals, will parade through Chiang Mai and then create a massive pile of toys to be given to needy boys, girls and babies. Following the success and popularity of similar events in other parts of the world the Chiang Mai motorbike community has come together to organise the first Chiang Mai ToyRide for disadvantaged children: a ride around Chiang Mai, an optional loop to Samoeng and a festive charity party at Huai Tung Tao Lake with toy presentations to kids.

All Chiang Mai motorcyclists are invited to join the event whether their bikes are large or small.

No admission charge: just bring along a new toy to warm a needy child’s heart.

The toys will be distributed by the non-profit organization Give and Live. www.giveandlive.org

It is expected that the event will create a great deal of media interest and that it will become an annual event. It is our aim to make the Chiang Mai ToyRide the biggest event of its kind in Asia.

Objectives of the Event

1. To collect toys to give to disadvantaged Thai children and bring a smile to their faces

2. To promote goodwill between the Thai and overseas motorbike riding community and the people of Chiang Mai

3. To have fun!

Event Timetable

Sunday January 6th

1, Buy a toy and meet at the Tesco Khamtien at 10:00 am

2. Motorcycle parade through the city (see accompanying map for the proposed route)

3. Road ride to Samoeng, those not wishing to ride as far can go directly to Huai Tung Tao Lake

4. Afternoon/evening party at Huai Tung Tao Lake, including food and drink vendors, fun and games and most importantly, a presentation of toys to local needy children with the help of Give and Live.

Saturday January 12th – Children’s Day

There will be presentations of toys to different groups of hospitalized and disadvantaged children throughout the city. Interested riders are welcome to come along.

Come as a rider, or a sponsor, or just come!

Hundred of motorcycles adorned with toys riding through Chiang Mai will create an amazing

spectacle and generate tremendous interest. The 2008 Chiang Mai ToyRide will be a major charity event that is set to become an important part of the city’s calendar. Everyone is invited to participate and join the fun.

For more Information please contact:

Email: [email protected]

English Charles Begley

Telephone: 087 180 4665

Thai Sirirat Straghan

Telephone 086 919 6285

Good on you guys,

will be there for that with the CBR (Crow Boy Rocket) and a toy for the kids.

CB

This event is going to be fabulous. We want everyone with a bike to join us for a big parade around the city and a party up at Huai Tung Tao Lake. I know there are plenty of people with bikes on Thai Visa so please join us on the day and help us raise an enormous pile of toys for the city's underprivileged kids

Having been involved in/organized Toy Runs for many, many years in America, a few suggestions if I may:

Since this run is happening after Christmas there will likely be few Xmas-wrapped toys but try to put your offering in transparent bags or wrapping, not only so distributors can determine which gifts are appropriate for girls or boys but what age group;

DO put your gift in some kind of bag especially if you are doing the longer Samoeng run or they may be a bit scruffy and used-looking by the time you arrive;

Try to be creative in your choices. Teddy bears (as in the above logo) and dolls are the traditional but poor children have needs beyond that such as soft cuddle-blankets (it is winter after all) children-sized and appropriate clothing (no mini-skirts), simple toys rather than complicated games that may simply confuse them, school and drawing tools like crayons, coloring books, picture books, pencils, et al.;

If you have a Thai GF/wife, trust her choices and if your finances are limited and while new/unused items are preferred, there is a great 2nd-hand shop just south of the Airport Plaza on the same side of Hangdong road where someone with discerning taste can find quality bargains that would thrill any poor/needy child;

Understand that with a multitude of bikes, some will necessarily become separated in the traffic of town and on the mountainous roads on the Samoeng loop. Even if there are several scheduled stops along the way to allow riders to regroup, DO ride well within your experience level as a rider and don't worry about staying with the group. One unnecessary accident could form a dark cloud over the wonder of this altruistic event!

To the organizers, at least one chase vehicle is a must. A truck (two or three is mo betta) with a makeshift ramp to load motorcycles (Harleys), ropes, makeshift litters, a fat emergency medical kit and people trained as first responders/paramedics.

If I may offer any further assistance please PM me, keeping in mind that I am older than Jesus and haven't yet figured out the 'rising from the dead' thing. However, altho my 750 Shadow will soon be up for sale, I will hang onto it until after the run and will show up with bells and whistles and tasers and sharp knives for the children...