Annual ride surpasses $150,000 for sick kids

THE annual Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Ride For Sick Kids event has helped to raise more than $150,000 that will directly support sick children and their families across Victoria and Tasmania.

Hundreds of Victorians gathered for two separate Ride For Sick Kids ventures last weekend, one setting off from Fitzroy House across to the Mornington Peninsula and back (100km in distance), and another at Republica in St Kilda, where teams peddled for 10 hours on stationary bikes to raise funds for RMHC.

The spin bike challenge was held at Republica in St Kilda.

Leading the charge was Ride for Sick Kids Committee Chairman and Geelong resident David Upham, who took to the saddle on both occasions to support the mission.

Upham said the results of the fundraising was monumental and praised the community for their generosity in getting behind the cause.

Ride for Sick Kids Chairman David Upham enjoying a cold beer after riding in the challenge.

“It was amazing… a really good turnout for both events and lots of money was raised,” Upham said.

“As the chair I’m super proud. The amount of work the fundraising team have put in has been tremendous.

“This was the first year of the spin challenge and it was just amazing. The teams and the individuals in the spin challenge did about 300km on each bike.

“There was a couple of people who even did the full 10 hours straight.

“The 100km road race had about 28 riders involved.

“On the way back we event got to pop in and chat to the kids and families at Ronald McDonald House in Fitzroy.

“The ride generated about $70,000, the fundraising dinner on Saturday raised an extra $70,000 and on top of that, the sponsors donated about another $30,000.

“We will get to around $180,000 I suspect which is just a fantastic result and goes close to what we have achieved in the past.”

Some riders rode for the full 10 hours of the spin challenge.

Upham said all the funds raised would go a long way in assuring the best care possible for kids and their families who are having a tough battle.

“Normally a night stay at the house is about $60, meaning that from our event we raised about 1,125 nights [of accommodation] for kids and their families,” Upham said.

“Overall, it’s just a fantastic result.”

For more details and to donate, visit www.rmhcvictas.org.au/event/rfsk2023/home