By REBECCA STONE
THE ‘1200km for kids’ charity bike riders peddled their way through Armidale on Monday to provide a cheque of $10,400 for a much needed Ultrasound Transducer Probe for the Paediatric Department at the Armidale Hospital.
The charity works in conjunction with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Foundation to provide medical equipment, and money for ground-breaking research for ill children around Australia.
The 1200km charity bike ride was founded in 2006 by two friends Trevelyan Bale and Gary Richardson. Trevelyan, who participated in the ride again this year, says it was and still is all for the kids.
“With four children of my own, it is a real pull on the heart strings when you see other beautiful children in hospital suffering. Hopefully we can help some of these wonderful kids in some way,” he said.
The charity has grown significantly since its foundation, receiving huge response from the public, especially this year, raising $177,459, $27,000 over target.
Trevelyan said that it was great to see where the money went, and even though the bike ride was hard physically and mentally, it was nothing like what the children had to go through.
“Although the bike ride is quite challenging, it doesn’t even slightly compare to what these children have to go through, and to see where this money goes is amazing,” he said.
The charity is supported by various large organisations including Telstra, Westpac, Anchor Building Services, Hindmarsh and Lions Richlands.
“We really appreciate the support we receive from our sponsors as well as our riders and all those who contribute,” he said.
Westpac regional banking state general manager Jason Stephens has been quite ‘hands on’ with the charity, riding the 1200km himself. Jason explained the part Westpac played in the charity on a local and state basis.
“Westpac are involved in the charity in more ways than one, firstly being a key sponsor of the charity, secondly, matching Westpac’s staff donations dollar-for-dollar and also being involved on a local level,” he said.
“Each branch along the way raise awareness and host their own little fundraisers, like the sausage sizzle at the Armidale Westpac branch today.
“The ride is tough, but it is great to be involved, helping children who may not have received the help needed if we had not raised the money.”
