THE Lithgow community has again shown it’s generosity as the Lithgow district street machine enthusiasts hit the road for their annual Christmas Toy Run.

Over the years, the Toy Run has collected literally tonnes of toys that have benefited those less fortunate with a lot of the volunteers being there from the first Toy Run.

Residents and business houses of Lithgow, Wallerawang, Portland and Blackheath have shown overwhelming support for the annual event that has now been conducted for a landmark 20 years.

Six utes and Santa’s old 1964 EH Holden station wagon were loaded to capacity with toys, games, books and bikes to aid a local charity Christmas appeal.

Not everyone in the local area has the good fortune of having a special Christmas with gifts for their children, a problem witnessed first hand, so the street machine enthusiasts collected this huge amount of toys to give the underprivileged local kids and their struggling families a great Christmas.

A huge thank you goes to Jeff Geddes at the Lithgow Mercury, Peter Watson and Craig Ross at Radio 2LT, Rich Evans at the Village Voice, My Butcher On Main, Westend Newsagency, Lithgow Tyre Service, Rapture Hairdressing Salon, R and A Chainsaws and Mowers, Bill Evans Mechanical Repairs, Bevy’s Bakery in Lithgow, Holden’s Bakery in Wallerawang, Lithgow Bearings Bolts and Fasteners plus James Walton and staff at B and L Livestock and Real Estate Portland for acting as collection points; they are all very charitable people.

A special thanks to big Kevin Minns at My Butcher on Main plus Lyn Ellery and Dave Martin for feeding Santa and his helpers — just a fantastic gesture.

A huge thank you also to the many local residents who phoned up requesting pick up of toys along with Jack and Jill Preschool and the fantastic people who donated toys and books at the drop off points.

Santa’s helpers wish you all a wonderful Christmas and better times ahead.

This year Santa’s helpers included Les Taylor, Carol and John Farrar, Kevin McKinney, Lindsay and Susanne Yeo, Dave Martin, Lyn Ellery and Tom and Rhonda Wilson.

Mrs Marion Lamb and her assistants at the Wallerawang Christian Youth Centre now have the huge job of sorting and wrapping the toys before being delivered to the needy children of our local area ready to put a huge smile on their faces on Christmas Day.

Collection for next year’s toy run has already begun in readiness for another record effort for the district’s children who have no chance of celebrating this fabulous time of giving and joy with our much needed and appreciated charity organisations.

The spirit of Christmas giving is certainly alive in our community and may the street machine enthusiasts take this opportunity to wish the staff at the Lithgow Mercury, all the readers and everyone who made this toy run a outstanding success a very merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy new year.