Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer
A record total of donations has been counted from last weekend’s Toy and Tucker Run, with the annual drive ensuring a brighter Christmas for Riverland families this festive season.
Using the annual December ride to collect toys, non-perishable foods, and cash donations for the Riverland Christmas Appeal, the Ulysses Club Mallee Branch’s 23rd Riverland Toy and Tucker Run raised $7937 last Sunday for locals in-need.
“It’s just an incredible number,” Ulysses Club Mallee Branch secretary David Moore said.
“It’s actually more than 40 per cent over our total from last year, which was a record then — it’s become bigger than anyone ever expected.
“A lot of people are doing it very tough this year in the Riverland, so it’s just wonderful to think people gave that much money.”
Joined by riders from the Mildura, Fleurieu, Adelaide, Lower Murray, and Torrens Valley Ulysses Clubs, plus local motorcyclist enthusiasts, and members of the Christian Riders Club, the Toy and Tucker trek began from Waikerie and Renmark at 9am, to Loxton prior to riding together onto Berri, and finishing at Barmera at 12 noon.
While the group did see a 20-person increase in riders, with 270 bikes taking part, Mr Moore said the reason behind the high donation numbers was the “generosity of the local community”.
“Of course, we get great donations from our riders, with the Ulysses Club Fleurieu branch giving $850 this year,” he said.
“Salvation Army Riverland also raised $380 in cash at their Barmera sausage sizzle, which was amazing too.
Joined by riders from Mildura, Fleurieu, Adelaide, Lower Murray, and Torrens Valley Ulysses Clubs, plus local motorcyclist enthusiasts, and members the Christian Riders Club, the Toy and Tucker trek began from Waikerie and Renmark, then Loxton prior to riding together onto Berri, before finishing at Barmera.
“However, we had more people out viewing the bikes this year, and obviously digging deep and donating (what) they could — you can’t raise that amount of money without great community support.”
In the 40th anniversary year of the Riverland Christmas Appeal, co-ordinator Carolyn Trifonoff said the Toy and Tucker efforts are set to assist more than 1000 locals with food hampers and gifts come Christmas day, and beyond.
“This year’s total is fantastic and absolutely amazing,” she said.
“Every dollar goes towards making Christmas easier for a lot of people — all those that use this service are very grateful.
“We extend a big thank you to the Riverland community, as well as the incredible riders on the Toy and Tucker Run, Riverland Christmas Appeal volunteers, and our toy co-ordinators — the effort is just wonderful and will make a real difference.”
For more information on the Riverland Christmas Appeal, or to donate, visit the website (riverlandchristmas.com.au).
See all the pictures from the event in the issue.
This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 10 December 2025.
