AU – Nathalia, Kerang RRT Support the Ronald McDonald Ride for Sick Kids
On 16-18th of August 2015 approximately 30 riders and 10 support crew left the Northern Victorian town of Mildura on a bike ride that follows the Murray River through to Albury/Wodonga, which is situated 300km north east of Melbourne.
The ‘Ride for Sick Kids’ is a five day event, raising much needed funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC.) The whole purpose of the event is to provide help and support for seriously ill children and their families from right across Australia, through a wide range of programs, from accommodation, to in hospital support and education.
RRT approached the RMHC organiser Gerrie Richardson a few weeks prior to the ride to offer refreshments at certain points along the way which was warmly received and a plan was made to provide the riders with the required refreshments both Monday and Tuesday.
The distance of the ride from Mildura- Albury is a total of approximately 630km on roads that are main highways between these Victorian major regional centres. The support vehicles consisted of a van to head the procession, a truck behind to carry all the bikes and 2 or 3 other support vehicles that followed warning the traffic of the convoy ahead.
The riders started at Mildura on the Sunday morning ending up in Swan Hill on Sunday afternoon where they were accommodated overnight. The riders reported they went well on Sunday with only 4 flat tyres on the Sunday afternoon – apparently a good result for so many riders travelling together.
On Monday morning they then headed for Echuca Via the Murray Valley Highway through Kerang and onto Cohuna and onto Gunbower where the RRT Kerang Team provided a refreshing lunch consisting of hamburgers with salad, water, Powerade, tea and coffee and some fresh fruit for all the riders and support staff.
This was greatly appreciated on Monday as the day was windy and cold and the riders had struggled with a head wind all the way from Kerang 55km east of Gunbower. As one rider said ”you underestimate what a hot burger and coffee can do for you on a cold and blustery day”
The riders moved on quickly to head for Echuca where they were to stop the night before heading onto Albury through Nathalia.
After the recent very cold and wet spell through most of south eastern Australia, the cyclists were glad for relatively clear and sunny Tuesday. The Nathalia RRT had set up the trailer, and had a hearty lunch of hamburgers ready when the riders arrived. The lunch was enjoyed by all, the cyclists, the RMHC organisers, and our local police, on hand in case traffic control in our main (not only!) street was needed. “Its charities helping charities” said one cyclist, and this summed up the event.
Through the great work of many willing participants, the fundraising target for the event, $500,000, looked like being well and truly reached. Fundraising events were being held each evening in the respective towns along the way. The regional Victorian RRT teams enjoyed being able to support this very worthwhile cause, and look forward to assisting in more events in the not too distant future!
