SEVENTEEN members of the Loddon Murray Cycling club are ready for the Murray to Moyne relay ride, starting Saturday April 6 in Echuca and finishing in Port Fairy the following day.
Teams from various regions will participate in the event, all raising funds for their local hospitals and health services.
Whilst the Loddon Murray Cycling team aims to raise money for Kerang District Health, the ride is also an opportunity to celebrate the health and social benefits of cycling.
The event is fondly referred to as ‘Woody’s ride’, commemorating the life of one of its founders, Graham Woodrup, who was killed when struck by a car during a 1992 training ride.
Loddon Murray Cycling’s youngest Murray to Moyne participant is 11-year-old Amy Wishart who will ride alongside her dad Scott.
Her mum Mel will drive one of the team’s two support buses, as one of four volunteer drivers and will also ride one leg of the relay.
Funds gathered will help purchase pressure-relieving mattresses, which benefit aged and palliative care patients who are normally susceptible to developing pressure injuries.
It is the 25th year that Kerang and surrounding districts have been represented in the Murray to Moyne, with the funds raised always directed to the hospital.
As well as sponsorship money raised by riders, the group is running a raffle, for which ticket books have been delivered to households in the Kerang area.
Those wishing to obtain raffle tickets can do so for $5 each from the Kerang hospital reception or The Little Shoe Shop on Scoresby.
The raffle will be drawn on Saturday 18 May, with the first prize being $1,000 to spend at Kerang and district businesses.
On Saturday, riders visit Pyramid Hill, Boort, Charlton, St Arnaud, Stawell, Pomonal and Dunkeld, reaching Hamilton at night, with the final 90 kilometres to Port Fairy to be tackled on Sunday.
Riders are likely to encounter some challenging winds, particularly on Saturday, so if you are able to show them your support along the way, it will lift their spirits.
Donations to the Kerang Murray to Moyne team’s fundraising effort can be made by direct deposit.
Team Account details are: BSB: 633000 Account number: 147079370
