Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey joked: “I used to love Taylors Arm, but now I am not such a big fan”.
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Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey joked: “I used to love Taylors Arm, but now I am not such a big fan”.
And who can blame her dislike of hills after cycling 380 kilometres in three days, from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour, as part of the Royal Far West’s Ride for Country Kids charity event.
Since the event began three years ago, the participation rate has more than tripled and so with it the dollars for children’s health in regional communities. This year more than $500,000 was raised by the 109 riders, who passed through towns including Kempsey, Bowraville, Macksville, Nambucca Heads and of course stopped at Bellingen for an obligatory coffee.
The cyclists spit up and rode in packs, with only a few injuries to note. Many participants heralded from the city, however Ms Pavey said all were united in their desire to see regional children have a better standard of healthcare.
“The Royal Far West takes medical treatment out to the country kids, as well as providing that home away from its home,” Ms Pavey said.
“They help transform the lives of thousands of disadvantaged and vulnerable country kids at risk of not reaching their full potential due to developmental, behavioural, learning, emotional and mental health disorders.
“That's why I and everyone on this trip are strong supporters of this amazing service”.
Royal Far West’s CEO Lindsay Kane said: "We ride through the small towns so our people can see how sparse resources are and how country people do so much with so little.
"In the bush when you're child has problems, you don't have a specialist at your fingertips.
"It takes six months to get an appointment, you've always got to travel and it's hard."