SINGAPORE: A group of 40 scooter riders were zipping around Singapore this morning to deliver Lunar New Year snacks to the less fortunate.

Spotted on the roads this morning; 40 vintage Vespa scooters cruising in a convoy.

The bikers were going around Singapore to deliver red packets, mandarin oranges and sacks of rice to the old folks' homes.

Aziz Omar said, "I feel great knowing that we can assist the elderly, even the poor for that matter. On Hari Raya, we all got together to do one for the poor. Now for Chinese New Year, we do one for the old and the aged."

Philip Xavier added, "In Singapore we always say multiracial so its nice to get together with all our friends, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, others. It's nice to meet one another as a family."

About 40 percent of the group have stopped riding their Vespas regularly, since they now have cars.

But once a year, these vintage beauties dating back to 1964 can still be seen on the roads for a good cause.

It has become an annual tradition for the Vespa riders to get together to spread the Lunar New Year cheer.

Every year about 50 people turn up but this year there is a record number of over 80 participants and they all say there couldn't be a more meaningful way to spend the Lunar New Year.

First stop was the Geylang East Home for the Aged, and then the Tai Pei Old People's Home.

Altogether 300 old folks received a personal greeting.

Zhu Jing Bao said, "We're very happy to see you all folks come here and wish us Happy New Year."

Granny Au Feng Ling said, "I’m very happy that I have money to buy food to eat."

The man who's behind it all, Ah Joo the Vespa mechanic.

Nine years ago, he got his friends to help him distribute truckloads of food he bought for the needy every Lunar New Year.

Now, everybody chips in to fund the project.

Vespa Mechanic See Ah Joo said, "They were all my customers but with time, they became friends. Everybody really wants to help so we get together."

The bikers celebrate their tenth anniversary next year and they say this has become a Lunar New Year tradition they don't intend to break. - CNA/fz