They wear motorcycle patches, ride powerful bikes and share a love of the open road. But for members of Riders Supporting Kids (RiSK), the greatest reward isn't the ride. It's helping children who might otherwise be forgotten. Founded by Steve Curtis and his late wife Jolene, this remarkable lower North Island motorcycle club is turning compassion into action, with an ambitious goal of collecting $50,000 worth of toys for Kiwi kids.
eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Jimmy Ellingham for RNZ, 13 November 2026.
Not Your Ordinary Motorcycle Club
When most people see a group of motorcyclists riding together, they probably think of powerful engines, leather jackets and the freedom of the open road.
But a group of riders in the lower North Island is demonstrating that motorcycle culture can also be a powerful force for good.
Their club is called RiSK, short for Riders Supporting Kids, and its mission is simple: make life better for children who need someone in their corner.
The club was established five years ago by Steve Curtis and his wife Jolene, who shared a determination to ensure vulnerable young people received the encouragement and support they deserved.
Today, the organisation has grown to more than 20 members, united by their love of motorcycling and their commitment to helping children.
And while their annual toy run is attracting increasing attention, the club's work extends well beyond Christmas presents.
It is about friendship, mentoring, belonging and giving young people the confidence to make positive choices.
A Childhood That Inspired Change
For 54-year-old Steve Curtis, the motivation behind RiSK is deeply personal.
Growing up, he experienced the difficulties faced by children who lack dependable adult support.
He spent time in state care, including at Epuni Boys' Home, and remembers what it felt like to be let down by the people and institutions that were supposed to help.
Those experiences stayed with him.
Rather than allowing them to define his future, Curtis decided to use what he had learned to make a difference in the lives of others.
He told RNZ that he had witnessed children falling through the cracks, often without anyone willing to guide them towards better opportunities.
He wanted to change that.
His concern was that young people without positive role models could become vulnerable to negative influences, including gangs.
RiSK became his way of providing an alternative.
The club would offer children something that money alone cannot buy: dependable people who care about what happens to them.
Jolene's Lasting Legacy
Behind the creation of RiSK was a shared dream between Steve and his wife Jolene.
Together, they established the club and developed the idea of an annual motorcycle toy run to collect presents for children whose families might struggle to provide them.
Their vision was to combine the camaraderie of motorcycling with practical support for the community.
Tragically, Jolene died of heart failure in July 2025.
Even in death, she continued helping others through organ donation.
For Steve, losing his wife made continuing their work even more important.
Rather than allowing the club's momentum to fade, he dedicated himself to building on what they had started together.
The annual toy run has become both a celebration of community generosity and a living tribute to Jolene's compassion.
Every donated toy represents another step towards fulfilling the dream they shared.
It is a powerful reminder that a person's legacy can continue through the lives they inspire others to improve.
More Than Christmas Presents
RiSK's annual toy run is the club's most visible activity, but its members are equally committed to supporting young people throughout the year.
One of their most important partnerships is with Barnardos Aotearoa, the organisation that helps distribute donated toys to families in need.
The relationship began when the motorcycle club approached Barnardos for assistance finding homes for toys remaining after its first fundraising ride.
What started as a practical arrangement soon developed into something much more meaningful.
Barnardos recognised that Curtis and his fellow riders shared its commitment to improving the lives of children and young people.
The partnership has since expanded into mentoring and other forms of personal support.
Hayley Vinten, Barnardos' regional operations manager for early learning, told RNZ that it quickly became apparent RiSK's work was about far more than collecting toys.
The organisation recognised Curtis's determination to support tamariki and rangatahi, particularly those who might benefit from additional encouragement and positive adult relationships.
This year, the donated toys will reach families around New Zealand.
Meet Carter: The Youngest Rider
One young person already benefiting from RiSK's support is nine-year-old Carter Harbers from Palmerston North.
Carter has loved motorbikes since he was very young, having started riding at the age of three.
Through Barnardos, he was introduced to Steve Curtis and invited to become involved with the club.
The connection has proved enormously positive.
Carter now proudly wears his own RiSK patches, including one recognising the $1,000 he has raised towards the club's charitable activities.
He has helped with sausage sizzles, participated in fundraising and developed friendships with club members who share his enthusiasm for motorcycling.
The riders have also taken an interest in his life beyond the club.
They have supported his sporting and cultural activities, attended his birthday celebrations and made an effort to remain involved in his development.
Curtis told RNZ that Carter's attitude at school had improved and that the club hoped to extend its mentoring programme to other young people.
It is a small example of what can happen when a child discovers that adults outside their immediate family genuinely care about their future.
Someone in Your Corner
For Carter's mother Brooke, the most valuable part of RiSK is knowing that her son has additional people looking out for him.
She told RNZ that the club's members regularly check in on the family and make it clear that they are available whenever support is needed.
That reassurance means a great deal.
The riders have taken an interest in Carter's football and kapa haka, showing him that their friendship extends beyond motorcycling.
Their involvement provides encouragement, stability and a sense of belonging.
These are qualities that can have a lasting influence on a young person's confidence and development.
The club's approach also challenges assumptions about what positive community leadership looks like.
A person does not need a formal title, an office or a professional qualification to make a difference in a child's life.
Sometimes, being present, listening and following through on promises can be just as important.
A Different Kind of Safety Net
One of RiSK's more unusual initiatives is a card offered to young people who find themselves in trouble.
Curtis calls it a 'get out of jail free card', although it does not provide legal immunity or excuse unlawful behaviour.
Instead, it gives young people someone they can contact when they need assistance.
Club members can act as advocates, helping a young person communicate with their parents or the police.
The purpose is to ensure that children and teenagers facing difficult situations are not left feeling isolated.
Curtis recalled an incident involving a 17-year-old who had been pursued by police in Palmerston North.
The teenager went directly to the holiday park Curtis operates, knowing he would find someone prepared to help.
For Curtis, the incident demonstrated the importance of trust.
Young people are more likely to seek help when they believe the adults around them will listen and support them through difficult circumstances.
The programme reflects RiSK's wider philosophy: intervention and encouragement can be more effective when they happen before problems become entrenched.
Brotherhood With a Purpose
The club's members come from different backgrounds, but they share a belief that motorcycling can bring people together for a worthwhile cause.
Keith Klein, known among the riders as 'Rabbi', told RNZ that the club's values resonated with him.
He appreciated the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful while enjoying the friendships that come with riding.
Fellow member Logan Kennedy also praised the organisation's traditions and commitment to helping others.
For these riders, the sense of brotherhood associated with motorcycle clubs is not simply about loyalty to fellow members.
It is also about extending that loyalty to children and families who need assistance.
Another member, Dan Drummond, recalled his own childhood experiences with Christmas presents and said he wanted to ensure other children could experience the happiness of receiving a gift.
Their motivations may differ, but the shared objective is clear.
They want children to know they matter.
The $50,000 Christmas Mission
With Christmas approaching, RiSK is preparing for its annual motorcycle toy run on Sunday, 22 November 2026.
The club has set an ambitious target of collecting $50,000 worth of toys for children who might otherwise miss out.
According to Curtis, nearly $20,000 worth of toys has already been collected and placed in storage.
The organisation also has approximately $12,000 to $13,000 available to purchase additional presents.
Members hope to collect another $10,000 worth of toys during the ride itself.
The generosity has come from individual supporters, businesses and organisations that recognise the value of the club's work.
Curtis has acknowledged contributions from The Warehouse, Toyworld, Bisset Honda in Pahīatua and Honda Horowhenua.
The donations include bicycles to give away and dirt bikes being offered as prizes.
For families facing financial pressure, these gifts can make a substantial difference to the Christmas experience.
But for RiSK, the significance goes beyond the value of the toys.
Every donation sends a message to a child that someone in their community is thinking about them.
Join the Toy Run
Sunday, 22 November 2026
The RiSK motorcycle toy run will depart from The Warehouse in Palmerston North at 10am, travelling down the Kāpiti Coast to Mana before returning.
The entry contribution is a new toy worth at least $30, which will be redistributed to children through the club's charitable activities.
Motorcyclists participating in the ride will help support a programme that is already making a difference in the lives of young people.
The event also provides an opportunity for the wider community to recognise the generosity of those who have contributed throughout the year.
With the Christmas season approaching, the club hopes to reach its $50,000 target and ensure more children experience the joy of receiving a present.
A Lesson for Every Community
The success of RiSK demonstrates what can happen when ordinary New Zealanders identify a problem and decide to do something about it.
Steve and Jolene Curtis did not wait for a government programme or a major institution to establish their club.
They recognised a need, gathered like-minded people and began helping.
Their approach is practical, personal and built around relationships.
It also highlights the importance of community organisations in supporting children who may not receive all the encouragement they need through conventional services.
Not every young person requires formal intervention.
Sometimes, a mentor, a trusted adult or a welcoming community group can provide the connection that helps them make positive choices.
RiSK's work shows how a shared interest, even something as simple as a love of motorbikes, can become the foundation for meaningful social change.
Will This Make New Zealand Stronger?
New Zealand faces significant challenges involving child wellbeing, family hardship and youth disengagement.
No single organisation can solve those problems.
But initiatives such as Riders Supporting Kids demonstrate the value of local communities taking responsibility for the wellbeing of their young people.
The club's combination of fundraising, mentoring and personal encouragement provides a model that other organisations could learn from.
It also shows how people who have experienced hardship themselves can become some of the most committed advocates for those facing similar difficulties.
Will this make New Zealand stronger?
Absolutely.
Every child who receives encouragement, develops confidence or discovers a positive role model represents an investment in the country's future.
And every community that supports those children becomes stronger in the process.
Big Hearts Behind the Handlebars
There is something particularly inspiring about the story of Riders Supporting Kids.
A man who experienced hardship during childhood has dedicated himself to helping others avoid the same difficulties.
A husband continues the dream he shared with his late wife.
A group of motorcyclists has turned friendship and a passion for riding into a practical force for good.
And children like Carter Harbers are discovering that they have an extended community of people willing to support them.
As the club prepares for its November toy run, the objective is not simply to collect presents.
It is to create opportunities, strengthen relationships and remind young people that they have not been forgotten.
Sometimes the biggest hearts belong to the people riding the biggest bikes.
And in the case of Riders Supporting Kids, those hearts are helping make New Zealand a better place.
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