Riders Trevelyan, Darryl Dixon, Leo Whiteley and Sacha Fulton with Paul Miller of USE. Wednesday, 10 October 2012. Photo: Gene Ramirez
Cyclists taking part in the 1200kms For Kids charity event began the gruelling Sydney-to-Brisbane ride from the Chemist Warehouse at Parramatta this afternoon.
The group of more than 20 cyclists will head to Newcastle on the first leg of the event, to support paediatric healthcare.
The event will raise funds for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, which provides essential medical equipment for neonatal units and paediatric wards in Australia, and The Children’s Health Foundation, which invests in research to better treat conditions such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, cerebral palsy and burns.
Managing partner of Chemist Warehouse Parramatta, Elias Whebe, said the business supported the ride in partnership with Ultimate Sports Nutrition, a supplier to the event’s riders.
Chemist Warehouse stores at each leg of the race have also added to the 2012 donation total of more than $116,000. The Parramatta store has also donated a perfume hamper to be raffled.
‘‘It’s a really good cause and we’re happy to support it,’’ Mr Whebe said.
The riders also visited The Children’s Hospital, Westmead to present medical equipment worth more than $10,000, including an endoscope donated by the Blacktown Workers Club Group.
The ride ends on October 18. Details: 1200kmsforkids.com.