After three decades the Concerned Motorcycle Riders of Huronia Toy Ride has been cancelled.
The annual fundraiser has been helping children in Southern Georgian Bay with toys being donated to the Salvation Army.
The event traditionally happens on the third weekend in September but organizers say they’ve been priced out – claiming the OPP want to charge up to $7,000 for police escorts.
“I think the OPP needs to sit back and look at their mandate in terms of their mission and vision and the true dedication of community policing when you have to charge for community policing it's not what it's about it's a profit thing,” said Paul Howe with Concerned Motorcycle Riders of Huronia.
OPP Auxiliary officers used to escort the ride, but new policies mean uniformed officers are required. A measure deemed necessary to ensure the safety of volunteers.
“The ride would ultimately require a significant number of police officers to safely see this event through a large geographic area and that could impact the delivery of service to the communities the OPP proudly serve," said Sgt. Peter Leon, who couldn’t verify the numbers organizers are claiming.
Midland councillor Cody Oschefski is hoping the event can be resurrected.
“We have had a lot people offering to donate financially or donate toys, services or just their time to make it happen,” he said.
The Salvation Army is not directly involved in organizing the event, but say the toys that are donated go a long way to meeting their Christmas goal.
There are some last minute meetings planned between people who want to help. Organizers are asking that any toy donations be directly made to the Salvation Army.
