The expatriates and Vietnamese alike will ride for two hours on their bikes loaded with gifts and toys for orphaned and underprivileged children in the outlying district of HCMC as part of the fourth annual charity scooter run, which is arranged by the Saigon Scooter Center.

Organizers said the annual charity ride was attracting more people each year and raising more money for disadvantaged children. “This will be a record turnout we hope,” said Patrick Joynt, director of Saigon Scooter Center.

“Last year, we had more than 120 people participating in the 40-kilometer ride, rising over USD 5,000 worth of gifts and toys for orphaned children in Dong Nai,” Joynt added.

The first charity scooter run drew around 35 people in 2005 and the number of participants almost doubled in 2006. Everyone can join the ride this year by purchasing tickets at VND 150,000 in advance and VND 200,000 on the day of the event. Tickets include a buffet breakfast, limited edition T-shirt, scooter banner and sticker.

The participants will meet at Sesame Restaurant at 53 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street at 8.30 a.m. before departing for Can Gio at 10 a.m. They will go through the hustle and bustle of the city, and then continue on a scenic drive to Can Gio.

The riders will stop at Phuong Nam Pearl Resort in Can Gio for lunch break and regroup before going to Hoa Hiep Primary School. There, they will play games with the children and a Santa Claus will give children presents, ice cream and drinks.

“It is great to see so many people coming out to support this cause, giving toys, books and, most importantly, a day of fun to these kids to make their coming Christmas a little brighter. We do hope this year will have got a record that doubling last year,” Patrick said.

Christmas is a special time of year for foreigners, a time to celebrate, to be with their families, to give and receive gifts, said Ashley Groom, one of the organizers, at a news briefing held here yesterday to introduce the charity event. “Despite being so far from our homes, we keep this Christmas spirit alive by giving to the kids of Vietnam,” Groom said. He added that the charity run began as just an idea of a way that they can give back to the community of Vietnam.

“The country has given so much to me and to my friends over the years, that we really just wanted to find a way to give back,” said Groom, who has lived here now for six years.

Following the ride, a party will be organized for participants at the Hospitality School’s Sesame Restaurant, where a lucky draw and various other activities will take place to raise further funds for orphaned and underprivileged children.

The evening is open to anybody and entry is free of charge. Dinner tickets cost VND 80,000 and include a dinner buffet. Music will be played after a lucky draw and the presentation of awards for the raffle winners and the owners of the best and worst bikes.

More information about the fourth annual charity scooter run can be found at www.saigonscootercentre.com. Tickets are available at X Cafe at 53 Pasteur Street in District 1 or Saigon Scooter Center at 25/7 Cuu Long Street, Tan Binh District.