The Ridge Casino is once again putting its weight behind the Teddy Run which is held annually to raise funds and collect stuffed bears and animals for children who have been traumatised through abuse or as a result of being victims or witnesses to crimes.

This year the Fourth Teddy Run kicks off on the 5th of November at The Ridge Events Park. This is the collection point for toy bears and animals and the starting point for the mass biker ride. The ride commences at 15h00 through the streets of Emalahleni and ends at the SAP where the teddies will be handed to the Victim Support Center.

Together with the Teddy Run, will be a whole day of entertainment including, food stalls, children’s activities, Dyno’s for Cars and Motorbikes, Stunts by professional bike riders and Bike and Car display. The Speed and Sound group will also be attending the day. The entrance fee is a teddy bear or stuffed toy. The proceeds of Teddy Run 2011 including monetary donations and stuffed toys, will go to the Victim Support Center.

Maureen Kivits, The Ridge General Manager asks the community to support the campaign.
“The Teddy Run is a long term tradition within the biker community and in recent years, has grown to become a broader community initiative that has at its heart the wellbeing of children that have been rescued from abuse. A teddy bear or soft toy to cuddle is a great source of comfort to a young child during times of trauma, loneliness and loss. For a lot of children who have been removed from abusive homes or situations, the bear you donate could be the only present they receive this Christmas,” says Kivits.

6113 soft toys were collected through the 2010 Teddy Run. The goal is to beat that this year.
Stalls at the event will be sold at R200. However, welfare organisations, which are invited to have a presence, will not be charged to have a stall. The Teddy Run organisers will host a coin stand to collect spare change from 5cents to R5. All the money raised through these initiatives will also be donated to the Victim Support Center.

For more information on hosting a stall, contact Elma Lindhout on 082 817 6519 or Rina du Plessis on 082 492 9330.
For more information on the initiative, please visit click here