By KATH GANNAWAY
WARBURTON will kick off its contribution to this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal with around $8000 on the tally board.
Over 70 riders took part in the inaugural Warburton Trail Triple Century bike ride on Saturday as a fund-raiser for the iconic appeal.
Casey MP, Tony Smith, sent the riders on their way at around 7.30am from the old Seville Railway Station.
The 100 kilometre ride comprised four 25 kilometre laps between Seville and Warburton with each rider donating a minimum of $100 to take part.
Other riders did the half century, or joined in from various points along the trail, also donating generously.
The success of the event, organised by Warburton advocate and veteran cyclist, Norm Orr, and hosted by Warburton Advancement League (WAL), went way beyond raising funds.
Riders came from all around Victoria, raising awareness of the rail trail as an accessible and picturesque ride.
The determination to meet the challenge of such a tough ride to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital raised spirits, and, come Good Friday, Warburton’s profile on the appeal’s tally board will almost certainly be raised.
Mr Orr struck on the idea of the ride after noticing that, despite the local Fire Brigade’s fund-raising for the appeal each year, and the generosity of the community, Warburton didn’t get a mention on the tally board.
Yarra Ranges’ Cr Jim Child, was among those who did the ‘ton’.
He said Mr Orr had been inspirational in identifying a need and having the vision to do something about it.
“Norm saw a gap there and through his own initiative and with the help of his family, created this ride.
“He’s like the Pied Piper of Warburton,” he added.
“Anything he starts, he gets a heap of people following him.”
Tina Gould from Woori Yallock was typical of the majority of riders for whom raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital was a driving force.
Her great-nephew, Jaxon Taplin from Launching Place, was born with a severe congenital heart condition which is being treated at the Children’s.
“I rode today for Jaxon,” she said after being welcomed to the finish line by a cheer squad including the enthusiastic four-year-old.
Matthew Griffin from Launching Place said he didn’t hesitate when he was asked to ride.
“I have a two-year-old and one coming,” he said.
“When they said we were doing it for the Children’s Hospital, it was just ‘let’s do it’.”
Mr Orr said the riders were made up of roughly equal numbers of serious riders who had probably done the 100kms before and wanted to do something different, and others whose motivation was supporting a worthwhile cause.
He said the support for the event had been fantastic with Warburton Advancement League and Upper Yarra Rotary coming on board and local businesses Strawberry Springs, Village Greens and Nine Mile Apples in Pakenham supplying fruit, and Woolworths in Yarra Junction donating raffle prizes.
The Warburton Trail Triple Century is on track for a repeat in 2017 with WAL and Rotary keen to see it become an annual event.
“We’ll be back for sure,” Mr Orr said.
In the meantime, he is urging everyone to give generously when the Warburton CFA volunteers come collecting, and keep an eye out for Warburton on the tally board on Good Friday.
