Car enthusiasts fire up Christmas spirit

A high-octane charity push is set to rev up Christmas cheer for Marlborough families in need.

The final Riverlands Roadhouse Breakfast of 2025, on Sunday, 7 December, is the biggest free annual event for car enthusiasts from Marlborough and beyond to show off their wheels while supporting the Salvation Army’s Operation Gifts for Kids.

“I’m always a big fan of the Roadhouse monthly event and seeing all the vehicles flow in on Sunday mornings through the year, but the annual toy shopping aspect this time of year makes me a kid again,” Richard Bateman says.

“While this is our targeted largest event of the year, every time there are new cars we’ve never seen before – honestly our biggest fear is that one morning, every one of the 1000-plus vehicles we’ve hosted will all turn up.”

“Our slogan is ‘if you’ve got wheels and you like it, bring it along’ – we’ve had airplanes, tractors, motorbikes and mopeds alongside such a wide range of car enthusiasts join us, but the trip to Pelorus would be a long one behind a tractor.”

“It just amazes me how generous some people are when you give them the chance,” adds Luton Anderson.

“Just this week I’ve had a family donate $500 cash, and another bloke made two trips from Ward with scrap batteries that have been sitting in the shed, which Craig Trillo will donate to our toy purchasing fund by the kilogram.

“We’re making it as easy to give because we know it’s tight out there, but people remain generous, contributing how they can – whether it’s toys, batteries or money – people are so supportive of the purpose.”

Salvation Army social worker Bridget Nolan and wellbeing worker Liz Whitt are “so grateful” for the local car community’s annual toy appeal.

“The Salvation Army has always been there for people in all areas of their life, so when we think about Christmas, Operation Gifts for Kids is all about taking the pressure off families at this time of year as these families are doing the hard yards in looking after and feeding their whānau and increasingly struggling with the price of living,” Bridget says.

“We believe every child deserves a brand-new gift for Christmas, and we couldn’t achieve that without the Riverlands Roadhouse, Kmart and the donors that are just pumping us with gifts – I love the whole concept of making people visible, that you matter.

“It is very cool. We get a kick out of attending and watching all the cars come in with people being so generous ahead of what is a hectic few days of organising before the three days of the Gift Grotto.”

Both Bridget and Liz say the gratitude they felt being on the receiving end of Operation Gifts for Kids as single mums with young children is a pleasure to pass on.

“When my kids were younger and I was a single mum, the Salvation Army brought me a box of toys for my kids and I don’t think I’ve ever lost that feeling,” Bridget says.

Contribute to Operation Gifts for Kids at the Riverlands Roadhouse Breakfast from 8am Sunday, 7 December, at the Pelorus Tavern/Trout Hotel from lunchtime, drop scrap car batteries to Auto Electric City for collection and per-kilogram donations from Trillo Metals, or donate to 38-9025-0331237-00 with account name Luton Anderson to contribute to toy shopping.