Blind cyclists in Ride for Life 6 November 2011

A group of Queenslanders who are blind or vision impaired will compete in a grueling 86 km ride alongside Australian cycling great Robbie McEwen this weekend to help raise money for charity.

The cyclists will join around 1,000 other competitors who will cycle through the streets of Brisbane and surrounding suburbs in the ‘Ride for Life Challenge’ on Sunday, November 6 at 5.15am.

Several of the Guide Dogs Queensland group participating in the fundraiser are novice road cyclists, including a 15-year-old school boy and a University student who are White Cane users.

The group also has three keen road cyclists who are blind or vision impaired, including Paralympian medalist, Ben MacFie. All the GDQ clients will ride in tandem with a sighted cyclist.

A highlight for all team members from Guide Dogs Queensland will be the opportunity to meet and hopefully ride alongside Brisbane-born international cycling champion, Robbie McEwen.

The 39-year-old triple Tour de France green jersey winner and 12-time stage winner is the Ambassador for the annual event which is organised by Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW.

But as enthusiastic as the group is to meet one of the world’s fastest road sprinters, Robbie is equally keen to meet the GDQ participants who he hopes will motivate other cyclists on the day.

“I’ve had many well-documented challenges over the course of my sporting career but all pale in comparison to those faced by these individuals on a daily basis,” he said. “They are remarkable.

“I am delighted the group has come together to support the ‘Ride for Life Challenge’ which will benefit an organisation dear to them and thousands of other Queenslanders and their families.”

Guide Dogs Queensland, Variety Queensland and NexGen Foundation will all benefit from this unique fundraiser. Guide Dogs CEO Chris Laine said she is extremely grateful for the support:

“This past year has been one of the most difficult for fundraising in recent memory,” she said.

“Economic and environmental disasters; the introduction of the flood levy; and the rising cost of essentials like food, utilities and fuel has meant people are struggling and donations are down.

“Events like this help bridge that funding gap and we are extremely grateful to Robbie; the team at Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW; and all the participants in the ‘Ride for Life Challenge’.

“We urge Queenslanders to support our riders and other cyclists by coming along on the day or making a donation online at our Everyday Hero Fundraising page.”

For more information, please contact Julie James, PR and Special Projects Manager at Guide Dogs Queensland on (07) 3500 9058 or 0457 883 827. Email j.james@guidedogsqld.com.au