Riding for a great cause

Ulysses Club Tauranga branch members Jim Salvidge, Rees Samuel, Barb Vercoe, Mel Thompson, Roger Allen and Bee Boyd-Allen. Photo: Tracy Hardy.


Get your motor running and head out on the highway because the annual Tauranga Ulysses Motorcycle Club Charity Easter Egg & Toy Run is roaring back into life.

Now into it's 26th year, hundreds of motorcycles will rumble through the streets of Papamoa and Tauranga in an effort to raise funds and support for the TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter and St John Ambulance, as well as toys from Tauranga Hospital's children ward on March 19.

'In 2016 there were about 300 riders involved, some from as far away as from Auckland, Hamilton and New Plymouth, so we're hoping for the same turnout this year,” says Tauranga Ulysses publicity officer Melissa ‘Mel' Thompson.

As in previous years, the toy run will see riders travel from Papamoa Plaza on Gravatt Rd to the bottom carpark of Tauranga Hospital on Clarke St.

But this year the route has been altered and instead of heading down Takitimu Drive, the toy run will travel down State Highway 29A and to the hospital via Greerton.

'We're going through Maungatapu where we used to travel through, and in previous years people would line the overbridges just to watch the bikes go past, which was fantastic, so we're really looking forward to seeing that again.”

Mel and her 2006 Kawasaki Ninja have been regulars on the toy run for the last 10 years – she was inspired to get involved due to the duplicitous nature of the ride.

'It's an opportunity to ride with other motorcycle riders and you know you're helping people and great community organisations at the same time, so it doesn't get any better than that.

'If you want to support and help us – you can either join in, make a cash donation, buy a badge or an educational toy, puzzle or game.”

Tauranga Ulysses Motorcycle Club's Charity Easter Egg & Toy Run is on Sunday, March 19, departing from Papamoa Plaza on Gravatt Rd at 11am. For more information, visit www.ulysses.org.nz

Ulysses Toy Run Route 19th March 2017

  1. Exit Papamoa Plaza on Gravatt Rd.
  2. Turn left onto Domain Rd
  3. At roundabout take 3rd exit onto Papamoa Beach Rd
  4. Proceed along Papamoa Beach Rd and turn left onto Parton Rd.
  5. Proceed along Parton Rd to roundabout and take 3rd exit onto Tara Rd.
  6. Proceed along Tara Rd and turn left onto Domain Rd
  7. At roundabout take 1st exit and proceed to 2nd roundabout
  8. Take 2nd exit onto SH2
  9. Proceed along SH2 and take off ramp to Sandhurst Drive
  10. At traffic lights turn left and proceed to Truman lane intersection
  11. Turn left onto Truman Lane
  12. Proceed along Truman lane up to roundabout.
  13. Take 1st exit onto 29A
  14. Proceed along 29A up to Hairini roundabout
  15. Take 1st exit and continue to Welcome Bay roundabout
  16. Take 2nd exit and continue along 29A to Poike roundabout
  17. Take 2nd exit and continue along 29A to Oropi roundabout
  18. Take 2nd exit and continue along 29A to Barkes Corner roundabout
  19. Take 4th exit onto Cameron Rd
  20. Proceed along Cameron Rd to 17Ave traffic lights
  21. Turn left at 17th Ave and proceed to Clarke St.
  22. Turn left onto Clarke St and proceed into Tauranga Hospital car park.

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