Scooter ride length of country
A super scooter charity ride from Bluff to Cape Reinga will be completed by four Kerikeri men for causes close to their hearts.
Kerikeri doctor Simon Bristow, Matt Cooper and Anthony Chalder-Royle will ride the 2124 km on scooters with Mike Quilter driving the support vehicle, a 1973 Mini Cooper.
Bristow is a trustee of Bald Angels which supports local children in need and has chosen to fundraise for this charity.
Cooper’s cause is the New Zealand Lung Foundation while Chalder-Royle has already raised over $4000 for The Champion Centre in Christchurch which supports children with special needs.
The centre was chosen because his friend’s grandson Ryder receives great support there.
Bristow says Chalder-Royle came up with the idea after wanting to raise money and awareness for charity.
‘‘We are all too old to walk or run that far and it has to be a bit of a challenge.’’
So 50cc scooters became the chosen vehicle.
Bristow estimates they may reach top speeds of 40kmh on the flat, with around eight hours of travel every day from November 11 to 18.
‘‘There might be people walking faster than us and none of us have had scooters before.’’
Not content with eight days on a scooter, they will also be completing the Kerikeri Half Marathon on November 19.
‘‘We have a few aches and pains but we are breaking it up. We might have sore bums by the end of it but it will be worth it.
‘‘Raising that awareness and being party to that is exciting.’’
He says for local charity Bald Angels fundraising is ongoing.
‘‘We need regular fundraising and it’s up to us to maintain momentum.
‘‘This is just another event for some money for local children.
‘‘I’m also passionate about where my great nephew is [The Champion Centre] and the New Zealand Lung Foundation is a cause close to lots of people.’’
The group will start in Bluff with overnight stops in Oamaru, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Albany and Kerikeri.
Follow the journey on Facebook: Super Scooter Charity Ride.
For more information and to donate visit: www.superscooterride.com