Great Ocean riders pedal with purpose

Acting chief executive officer of Great Ocean Road Health Carissa Brock receives a cheque for $8,000 from Great Ocean Road Cycling Club president Gary Smith.

WITH the Lorne 2 Lorne ride having taken place over the weekend, the Great Ocean Road Health Cycling Team have now switched their focus to its next major fundraiser.

The Lorne 2 Lorne saw the Great Ocean Road Cycling Inc. (GORC) raise $8,000 raised for the recently formed Great Ocean Road Health.

For many years GORC supported the Lorne Spinners, who were specifically set up to fundraise for the Lorne Hospital. After the Lorne Hospital was amalgamated into Great Ocean Road Health, the Lorne Spinners sought to broaden their reach by becoming the Great Ocean Road Health Cycling Team.

Group member Jane Loren said this move helped the group draw from a wider audience.

“We’re wanting to have more inclusive groups, so that means any riders’ clubs really between Anglesea and Apollo Bay.”

The team are looking to raise $30,000 for the Great Ocean Road Health’s urgent care unit at the Murray to Moyne team relay in April.

As part of the fundraising for this event, the Great Ocean Road Health Cycling Team is holding an auction dinner on January 16.

In between events they have weekly meetups and regular rides.

The Great Ocean Road Health Cycling Team is eager to have new members join ahead of the Murray to Moyne, and is happy to train those not familiar with riding in a peloton.

Ms Loren says the team is subsequently seeking to help improve the community’s health outcomes in multiple ways.

“Every way you look at it, it’s going to be good for anyone who gets involved. Whether their supporting as sponsor or a donor or a rider, or even helping out by just coming along to the dinner.”

People can make a reservation for the auction dinner by, heading to trybooking.com/book/event?eid=571899&.

Those interested in joining the cycling team can phone Karyn Hogg at Lorne Community House on 5289 4383.