Ride for Life to assist AIS women

In response to the recent events involving the AIS women's team in Germany, the committee for the Prince of Wales Hospital Ride for Life has proposed that funds from this year's event be donated to the families of those riders affected by the tragedy.

Professor Michael Friedlander, Director of Institute of Oncology at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, initiated moves to donate the funds raised at this year's Ride for Life to help cover the costs associated with medical and rehabilitative treatment.

Race organiser and committee member for the event, Phill Bates, believes the sum available for donation could be in excess of AUS$50,000, a significant amount that would surely be welcomed by the families of all riders involved in the accident earlier this week. Bates said those funds could be generated by the event itself, along with a function held after the race at which further donations could be made.

Bates, a prominent figure in Australian cycling administration, said, "The plan has been cleared by the committee; we are now just waiting for the approval of the trust [the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust] who are sponsors of the event, to clear it. As yet there hasn't been any response." Bates said the committee also aims to obtain even more sponsors in light of events in Germany, to maximise the assistance to the AIS women's team.