July 29, 2013
The last Saturday in July looks set to become the South Burnett’s latest annual charity fundraiser after 28 motorcycle riders had a lot of fun last Saturday afternoon and helped to raise almost $2500.
The motorcyclists gathered at Murgon’s BP Roadhouse at noon to take part in the first South Burnett’s own version of the “Red Boot Ride”.
The original Red Boot Ride is held once each year to raise funds for Ronald McDonald Houses in south-east Queensland.
It runs over a fixed course from Slacks Creek in Brisbane via Boonah to O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards. But the route doesn’t pass through the South Burnett at any point.
However Murgon businessmen Mark Smith and Kingaroy businessman Rod Steele weren’t to be deterred and cooked up their own regional version of the event.
On Saturday a platoon of motorcycles set off from Murgon to the Hivesville Hotel for lunch; then spent the afternoon cruising the roads from Goomeri to Maidenwell before returning to Kingaroy in the late afternoon.
Funds raised came from the $25 entry fee each rider paid and from donations, including $1000 from the Murgon Apex Club and others from the Hivesville Hotel, Kingaroy Tyrepower, the Kingaroy RSL Club, McDonalds Kingaroy and many other businesses and individuals.
Rod Steele said that overall the inaugural ride went well
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“We were just floored by the generosity and good spirits of everyone who contributed to this event,” he said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of everyone who helped.”
Co-organiser Mark Smith agreed: “This was a great day. And we’ve been helping a good cause too.”
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Unfortunately, one incident marred the ride and had the potential to cause tragedy.
As the motorcyclists were passing through Moffatdale, a young boy in an oncoming car threw a golf ball at bike, which struck one of the riders on his helmet.
The impact tore his visor off and he was lucky not to be seriously injured.
“If that golf ball had hit just a bit lower or in another spot there could have been a pretty bad outcome,” organisers said.
Despite the unfortunate incident, participants agreed they’d had a great day out and they decided on the spot to do it all over again next year.
- Related article: Local Ride To Circle South Burnett
