Once the container door is opened, Turkish lets out a sigh. “Normally, at this time of year, we don’t know where to put them anymore,” he says, looking at several boxes that contain just under 200 new toys. There should be at least 800. We’re picking up and it bothers me for the kids. »
Leather patch “Guardians of children” sewn to the bottom of his leather vest, Turkish is the president of the Gallic Brothers, a motorcycle club committed for more than ten years in the fight against child abuse, accustomed to solidarity operations. Ritual set up seven years ago, they have just launched their big collection of toys intended for all the children placed in homes in the Oise.
But this year, less than a month before Christmas, the bikers are struggling. Kitty, appeal for donations, help from loved ones… Bikers are multiplying initiatives to try to mobilize. They will be this Saturday, December 3 at the Christmas market in Saint-Maximin. But for now, their hood remains desperately empty.
“Finance level, it’s complicated for everyone”
Already, after the launch of the usual online kitty, three weeks ago, the Gallic had felt that donations were idling. “We quickly saw that it did not take. This Thursday, December 1, the counter had been capping at 770 euros since the end of last week. “And again, it’s 70% of the family and relatives”, laughs, yellow, the president of the club. At the same time, last year, 4,400 euros had been collected.
Beyond the kitty, bikers favor the direct donation of new toys. “Give money to bikers, people are wary”, smiles Turkish To facilitate the deposit of gifts, it is possible to leave them at the V&B stores in Compiègne and Saint Maximin or Harley-Davidson. But here too, the harvest is meager. “Before, we almost had to go there in three cars. »
Known for their actions, bikers could so far count on around fifteen companies in the sector each year, ready to help finance the collection of these large-displacement Santa Clauses. “None was able to get money this year, regrets the president of Gallic. In terms of finance, it’s complicated for everyone, especially with the rise in energy prices, and we understand that perfectly. »
Still, the target of at least 6,000 euros needed to finance 1,500 to 2,000 toys seems complicated to achieve. “Because there are around 1,500 children placed in the various reception centers in the Oise”, develops Turkish. Since their creation, the Gallics have sponsored and accompanied about fifteen of them but for Christmas, they want each child placed to have a present. “We’re going to go out of our own pockets to try to come up with something that’s not too ridiculous, but it’s going to be tough. In seven years, we had never experienced this…”
“These kids have the right to have the pleasure of opening a new toy”
In their great Christmas tour, the Gallic can count on the reinforcement of other clubs, such as the Tribal Bikers, based in Neuilly-sous-Clermont, or the Laffings Dogs, based in Compiègne. But they too face the same difficulties. “Last year, we brought them three pallets of toys, there we have three toys, is surprised Benoit Pontanus, the president of the Compiègne bikers, who also participate in collecting Christmas boxes for the poorest. Here it is the people who manufacture it in part, it costs less. For new it is really difficult. »
Because Sud Oise bikers don’t want second-hand toys. “The first year we did it but people don’t all have the same appreciation of the notion of good condition of an object, laughs Turkish. Above all, everyone can understand that these kids, some of whom have been through terrible things, have the right to have the pleasure of opening a new toy on Christmas Day. »
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