JOHN Fox of Lockhart is one of the many riders who will complete a 700-kilometre bike ride from the Riverina to Melbourne to raise funds to fight motor neurone disease.
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The charity event has attracted 25 riders who will complete the entire distance plus more than 80 others have registered to participate in various sections along the way.
People from throughout the Riverina have already pledged their support to either ride or complete the support crew that leaves Ungarie on Sunday.
And the eastern Riverina, and Lockhart regions have gleaned a lot of support in both the support crew and cyclists.
Mr Fox said it was encouraging to see so much support flow for the Fight MND ride.
He said local businesses had pledged funds and gifts in kind to support the cause and already the funds had risen above initial expectations.
“We were hoping to raise $10,000 … we are now at $58,000,” he said.
“I am confident we will raise more, there are functions and auctions which have been organised too,” Mr Fox said.
And more money was expected to flow once the cyclists were on the road. The journey takes in townships of Ungarie, Ariah Park, Ganmain, Coolamon, Lockhart, Corowa, Benalla, Seymour, Kilmore and finishes in Melbourne.
Mr Fox said he was looking forward to the event and it would be as much about catching up with other people on the ride and visiting towns along the way as it was in terms of completing the distance.
To prepare for the event the cyclists from Lockhart have regularly been completing early morning rides and building up their training.
Mr Fox said he was heartened by the sporting career of Neale Daniher who hit his pinnacle with Essendon. Mr Daniher is a farmer and MND sufferer is also the ambassador for Fight MND.
Mr Daniher contacted the organisers of the ride and gave them his support.