Rolling on the road for the kids

THE first Kids Ward Run Charity Ride will take to the road this weekend to raise money for the Grampians Health Ballarat children’s department.

Motorcycle clubs are set to unite from 9.30am tomorrow, Saturday 14 October at the Ballarat Rovers clubrooms at Ballarat Airport.

Attendees can take part in a charity ride through Cardigan, Haddon, Ross Creek, and back to Ballarat, past the Ballarat Base Hospital, and there’ll also be a motorcycle and car Show N Shine, a silent auction, and some food and coffee.

The ride is being driven by Ted Kennis, and the cause is close to his heart.

“My grandson, Kaiden, was a patient at the kids ward at Ballarat Base Hospital,” he said.

“He was so well looked after that we started thinking that the kids’ ward should have a special event… which our whole community could get behind.

“We want to bring all the motorcycle clubs and enthusiasts of Ballarat together for a great community day.”

Grampians Health Ballarat community events coordinator for fundraising, Kellie Pearce, said the hospital is grateful for Mr Kennis’ initiative.

“We are very thankful to Ted and all the Ballarat bike clubs’ enthusiastic support as our newest community fundraising partner, and we are hoping to make this an annual Kids Ward Run Charity Ride,” she said.

“We’re all looking forward to the spectacle of the bikes riding past the Base Hospital.”

Event entry is free, the ride from 11am to 12pm is $10, and the barbecue and silent action are after 12pm.