Motorcyclists brave weather charity run

By Ailin Quinlan. This article appeared in the print version of the Irish Examiner, County News Supplement, 15/12/09.

Dolls and teddies, racing sets and footballs, not to mention a generous sprinkling of jewellery and makeup were collected  for two family resource centres in West Cork following a gruelling Motorcycle run. Motorcyclists from all over West Cork and Kerry braved pounding rain and howling winds to collect 120 Christmas toys for local children and more than EUR 1,000 for a deserving charity on Sat, 25th December 2009.

More than 40 Honda 50 owners endured harsh weather conditions during the challenging 45 mile drive through the region as part of the annual West Cork Honda 50 toy run. The motorcyclists, who received a Garda escort, started their road trip in Bandon, before continuing onto Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Balineen & Enniskeane. But it wasn’t all freezing rain and misery. The shivering participants were treated to warming refreshments enroute; by the Kilbrogan Inn in Bandon, and  O’Donovan’s Hotel in Clonakilty, and the Dunmanways Resource Centre. In all, 120 new toys were collected for the Bandon Family Resource Centre, and for the Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, while EUR 1,100 was collected for West Cork Rapid Response, which is based out of Bantry.