Bikers hand over children's toys for good cause

When they are staying in hospital, youngsters can often become scared and distressed.

However, most medical centres use kids' toys as a mean of cheering them up - often with great success.

One group of people who are aware of this are from the firm ECL in Canada.

According to the Calgary Herald, a number of bikers from the company raised money to give to the Alberta Children's Hospital and they handed over a "carload" of toys as well.

In total, the generous workers managed to generate around $300,000 (£187,925).

The event was referred to as the ECL Choppers for Charity Grand Finale Harley Ride and Toy Run.

Unfortunately, however, the altruistic two-wheeled transport lovers may not be able to repeat their act of generosity and give more children's toys in future due to changes being experienced by the enterprise.

"As far as ECL is concerned, this is the last one," said Tom Fredericks, ECL Group of Companies board chairman.

He added: "We sold our company and we don't have enough of our own employees to support it."

According to Mr Fredericks, while he has lined someone up to take over the mission of generating money and kids' toys for the good cause, he does not know if the individual will be up for the mission.

He remarked: "We've created the platform. We've built the trust and people know where the money is going - to the hospital, to equipment, to the children. Whoever takes it on will need the right passion."

The news source noted that over the last 13 years, the bikers have donated almost $3 million to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.

This has been achieved through a number of means, including auctions and raffles.

Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation president and chief executive officer Saifa Koonar said: "75,000 children and families walk through the hospital doors every year, so we rely on community support."

She added that while this is officially the last year for the fundraising event, she feels individuals will still find ways to give.

One of those who may have benefited from the cash and children's toys supplied by the bikers is eight-year-old Willa Marshall.

She was the 2009 Children's Miracle Network Champion Child for the hospital and got a special ride in a sidecar during the grand finale.

Her mother, Katie Marshall, said: "All these motorcycle guys and gals have the biggest hearts and are so, so generous."

She added the experience of being in the sidecar was "lots of fun" for her daughter.

Meanwhile, youngsters at Great Ormond Street Hospital were recently treated to special screenings of Toy Story 3, as director Lee Unkrich postponed his flight back to the US to drop in on kids who were too ill to see the film in the cinema.

Speaking to Sky News about the decision to show the movie, he said: "We've had a tradition at Pixar for years now of trying to bring our films to childrens' hospitals."

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