11 Feb 2012

Peaceful Hells Angels rally aids charity

10:31 pm on 11 February 2012

Police say there was no trouble from a motorcycle rally held north of Auckland on Saturday by a breakaway Hells Angels gang.

Ride with the Angels was organised by Hells Angels 81 Nomads who encouraged riders to donate $20 to the Red Cross.

The breakaway gang was publicising the ride as a New Zealand first, and encouraging non-members to take part.

The Red Cross says it has no problem accepting funds from motorcycle gang members.

The charity's national funding manager, Alice Montague, says Red Cross is impartial and does not judge any group offering to raise money for the community.

A spokesperson says up to 200 motorcyclists travelled from Northcote through Helensville to Puhoi on a poker run, which involves collecting cards from checkpoints in order to compete for the best hand.

The spokesperson says police officers accompanied the convoy to make sure roads were not blocked.