September 4, 2023
The 2023 Ride 4 Relay will break its fundraising record with an amazing total of between $35,000 and $40,000 raised for the South Burnett’s Relay For Life campaign.
Organiser Jason Wyeth said the 404km cycling event, which finished on Saturday morning in Wondai, had gone “brilliantly, considering what I put the riders through!”
The riders covered 5821m of elevation, which translates into lots and lots of hills.
They left Wondai on Tuesday morning before heading to areas around Nanango, Proston and Hivesville before returning to Wondai on Saturday.
Jason said he was stunned by the amount of money the ride had raised, “considering the times we are in”.
The online donation page started with $12,000 at the beginning of the week, but stood at $27,000 by Saturday morning.
“It was up $15,000 in five days, which is stunning,” he said.
“And there’s more to come in.”
The total will also be boosted by the sale of cattle, however a date for the Cattle For A Cure sale has not yet been set.
The riders were surprised on Friday when Jacqui Trace, from Bill Hull Car Centre, caught up with them and handed over a cheque for $3600 to add to their efforts.
Jason said another benefit of the ride was the how the riders “grew” during the event.
Some did not think they would be able to complete the challenging route.
“But they were quite chuffed with themselves at the end of the week,” he said.
“Everyone got home safe and sound, but very, very tired.”
Jason said the support crew had been fantastic and the ride sponsors were terrific.
He especially singled out Adventure 4×4, Hansen Kitchens, Woolworths, Bill Hull Car Centre and Kingaroy McDonald’s for their support.
“McDonald’s and Bill Hull have been with us for seven years, right from the start,” he said.
Jason has already begun thinking about next year’s event, which will tackle another new course.
He has started exploring possible routes to Burrandowan or Boondooma Homestead or even Jandowae.
- Donations to support the 2023 Ride 4 Relay’s fundraising efforts can be made online
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Video shot by Ros Heit on the morning of the last day of the 2023 Ride 4 Relay, near Hivesville:
