IT was a big weekend for charity in the Far North with people riding motorbikes, pushing wheelbarrows or walking pets for good causes.

On Cairns Esplanade, a chorus of barks, squeaks and neighs heralded the start of The Million Paws Walk with people and animals joining the annual RSPCA fundraiser.

Event manager Lyn Waters said about 800 people and a similar number of animals joined this year’s walk, which started near Muddies Playground and headed north along The Esplanade.

"We had two horses, some rats and lots of dogs," Ms Waters said.

"Each year, it seems to get bigger and better. Last year, we had about 600 people and this year, we would have had more."

Ms Waters said the same event raised $11,500 last year and she estimated they would exceed that this year.

And about 100 bike riders gunned their Harley-Davidsons on Saturday, riding from Cairns to the Undara Lava Tubes.

Including donations and raffles, the group raised a cool $55,000 for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. Riders came from as far away as Townsville, Mossman, the Tableland and Cairns.

"Our riders have done a brilliant job," Hospital Foundation fundraising manager Glenys Duncombe said.

Also on the Tableland, a team called Emerald Springs won the gruelling 149km Great Wheelbarrow Race from Mareeba to Chillagoe.

The team of men and women bettered last year’s winning time by 32 minutes.

"It was quite a significant result," organiser Evan McGrath said.

All up the event raised $41,831 for several different charities.

"As an event, it has been bigger, brighter and better than ever," Cr McGrath said.

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