The dream of every kid is a shiny new bike for Christmas, but sadly for many children, their families simply cannot afford the price of a set of new wheels. But 3AW is aiming to change that this year.

3AW and Children’s Charity ‘Variety’ plan to put a bike in the Christmas stocking of as many children as possible.

Next Wednesday July 30, 3AW will join Variety to host a Radiothon to buy bikes for disadvantaged children.

The Radiothon will run across all programs on the station, starting with Ross and John on Breakfast at 5.30am through to Bruce and Phil on Nightline at midnight.

Callers to the station will be encouraged to donate the cost of a bike (or bikes) or make a contribution towards the cost of a bike. The target is to raise enough money in pledges to provide 500 children with bikes in time for Christmas.

The bikes will be assembled and handed over to the children at a major ceremony at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre in November.

3AW General Manager Shane Healy said: “This is a great opportunity for 3AW to join with its listeners to put something really meaningful back into the community.”

“Given the great generosity of our listeners we expect a huge response and I shouldn’t be surprised if we exceeded the target of 500 bikes.”