Cycling for SIDS support

A PELOTON of local riders will embark on a 100-kilometre tour of Geelong and the Bellarine this weekend to raise money for an annual Red Nose Day appeal.

Lara man Peter Herrick has spearheaded the fundraising campaign for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), in honour of a close friend who lost his daughter to the affliction in 2019.

More than a dozen riders will squeeze on the Lycra this Saturday to complete the journey that ends at Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club for a charity evening.

The fundraiser is for the family of Mr Herrick’s friend, Mark Maddocks, whose daughter Lara died with SIDS in 2019.

Mr Herrick said the death had a profound impact on him because his daughter was a similar age when the tragedy struck the UK-based Maddocks Family.

He led another group in the Walk to Lara, for Lara in 2021 and is aiming to ramp up his fundraising efforts this year.

“Last year we did a walk and raised just over $1000 and sent that over to (UK charity) The Lullaby Trust, to support the people supporting the Maddocks family,” Mr Herrick said.

“This year we wanted to go bigger and support an Australian charity, which supports local people who are going through the most tremendous loss and grieving process that anyone could think of, by losing a child.

“We wanted to do something outlandish. 110km is going to be a challenge for a group of guys that have no experience in riding and don’t do it a lot.

“But the Maddocks are the reason we’re doing this.”

The ride will take its participants through Geelong to Ryrie Street, to Portarlington via Drysdale, down to Queenscliff then to Ocean Grove.

Saturday’s fundraising event at Ocean Grove SLSC will include auctions and raffles for a host of sporting memorabilia – including from AFL clubs, Melbourne Storm, Western United and UK soccer heavyweights Manchester United – plus more donated prizes.

This year’s donation drive had already attracted more than $12,000 after smashing its initial $5000 target, and Mr Herrick said he expected the total to grow further up to Saturday night.

“Family friends, networks or people who are riding, as well as some businesses, not just in the Bellarine and Geelong area but across Victoria, have jumped on board and supported us,” he said.

“I’m really proud of the community and how they really jumped on board to such a good cause.”

Mr Herrick hopes the local support can continue for years to come as he plans to make the ride bigger and better in future years.

“We’re hoping this will be an annual event where we can continue to raise money for SIDS, and support the Red Nose Foundation to support families and build that awareness in communities around Australia,” he said.