Geelong bike community unites for food relief charity after theft

GEELONG’S motorbike community will come together later this month in a display of solidarity for food relief charity Feed Me, after its St Albans Park site was hit by a robbery in late January.

Bikes of all sizes will take a short, slow ride together through Geelong on March 29, with participating riders asked to donate a gold coin to support the charity that “gives everything to help others”.

Organised by G Houston and Corey Power, the local duo behind apparel business Chopped and Bobbed, the gathering will culminate in a barbecue at Feed Me’s Ocean Grove site in Sinclair Street from about 12 noon, with the broader community invited along.

“The bike scene is such a big community in Geelong, and… we just want everyone to come together and band together to show [Feed Me] the support that they deserve and give something back for all the amazing work they do,” Mr Houston said.

“It doesn’t matter what you ride, just come. Two wheels, four wheels, three wheels – just have a good time.

“A gold coin? Fantastic. If they do more, that’s even better.”

Feed Me founder Lana Purcell estimated enough food to feed 300 families was taken during the theft, but said an outpouring of support from the local community had allowed the charity to bounce back quickly.

“The next day, we had people rocking up with packs of meat that they brought at the supermarket. We had some butchers get involved, and then just constant donations coming from the community after that.”

“We actually got a donation that covered a new security system for the location as well, which would have cost us $4,000.

“There’s more good in the community than there is bad, and that’s what we need to really focus on.”

She said the food relief charity would keep moving forward and continuing servicing the community.

“We don’t let little things like this break us in anyway. We’re very resilient; we keep going and we get bigger.”

Riders will gather at the grassed area next to Geelong restaurant The Edge from 10.30am, with stands up at about 11.15am. For more information, head to the Chopped and Bobbed Facebook page.