1,000 km charity bike ride starts Saturday

When a mild mannered technician, Todd Norbury, made a bet with a friend in 2004 as part of a weight loss challenge, it soon turned into a fund-raising exercise that raised over $700 for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Australia. This year "Norbs" has set his sights higher and increased his personal challenge, with a solo 1,000 km bike ride from Sydney to Melbourne for the same charity.

He has already found support from a range of businesses and people including community radio motoring program Overdrive, car maker Mitsubishi Motors Australia offering a Grandis people mover as a support vehicle for the trip, and support from bicycle shops from Velo Nova in Katoomba to Maroubra Cycles in Sydney, the local Penrith business community, Gatorade Australia and a range of hotels and motels in NSW and Victoria. "I’ve been overwhelmed by the support my ride has been getting," said Norbury, "and the Childrens’ Hospital is a great cause to be helping."

Nevertheless, Norbury is still looking for a newer bike than his own to set out on his marathon ride, starting Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 10.00 am from Sydney’s Luna Park, Milsons Point, and aiming to arrive at Melbourne’s Luna Park 15 days later on Saturday, May 7, 2005.

While Norbs puts in the hard miles in the saddle, his support team will be seeking donations along the way and he is hoping his sweat and sore backside will inspire people to dig into their pockets to help sick children. The website www.helpnorbshelpthekids.com has details on how to donate via bank account or Paypal. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. You may contact Todd Norbury on 0423-319-911 if you have a bike on offer.