And, as it is in biblical terms, they came bearing gifts.

For 24 years the bikers and bikies have come together in a toy run coordinated by the Lithgow Ulysses Club so that even the less fortunate can share in whatever Christmas promises.

A swarm of motorcyclists rode in convoy from Portland to Lithgow, picking up gifts from collection points at Portland and Wallerawang along the way.

Despite the extraordinary demands on the community with natural disasters this year the response from the public was again generous.

As a result almost 200 local families who had registered for assistance will receive gifts and food hampers in Christmas week, distributed by Vinnies and the Salvation Army.

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At the end of the ride at the State Mine Museum there were several additional cash donations to assist the program with representatives of the two support organisations and the Ulysses Club thanking riders and donors for their involvement.

The work didn't end there though; volunteers the next day gave up their family Sunday to wrap the donated gifts and pack hampers.

On Christmas Day another wonderful tradition will again be observed when a free luncheon, complete with gifts for the kids, will be open to all comers in the spacious Bible Church Hall near Lithgow Hospital.

Thanks to the support of business sponsors and those amazing volunteers from all walks of life who give up their Christmas Day to help out, the day really is something to remember by anyone who chooses to drop in, even if for no more than the company.

A similar program has been running in Blackheath for some years.

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