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General News

2 February, 2023

Kate and Graeme onboard for next cycle challenge

Wheeling over hills for charity, local couple Kate Ashton and Graeme Leach have gripped the handlebars once again — with their challenging 500 kilometre bike ride only months away, the pair hopes to raise $30,000 to fund an important cause...

By Prealene Khera

Maryborough couple Graeme Leach and Kate Ashton are getting ready to ride for charity once again this April. Photo: 030223 01
Maryborough couple Graeme Leach and Kate Ashton are getting ready to ride for charity once again this April. Photo: 030223 01

Wheeling over hills for charity, local couple Kate Ashton and Graeme Leach have gripped the handlebars once again — with their challenging 500 kilometre bike ride only months away, the pair hopes to raise $30,000 to fund an important cause.

Supporting the charitable organisation, Hands Across The Water, the pair is set to cycle across Thailand over the span of five days in April this year.

Covering 535 kms of country scenery, they will be accompanied by around 30 other cyclists as part of the Digital Live Ride, with the aim of helping and delivering lifesaving necessities to under-privileged kids in the Asian country.

Having championed the cause before, this is Ms Ashton’s third ride and she said her commitment has strengthened over time.

“Seeing, after my first ride, just how important it was to give back, that’s what keeps me going,” she said.

“Everybody who helped with the fundraising was a part of that. It wasn’t just me, it was everybody who donated and supported us along the way.

“It’s also about being able to see what happens once we do the fundraising and we know where the money goes and how it changes people’s lives.”

Upping the stakes this time around, Ms Ashton said the goal was to raise $30,000 from the previous year’s aim of $20,000 — although they ended up raising $37,000 in 2022.

“I like to raise the bar and I know that things are really tight for people at the moment but every little bit counts, even a small donation is gratefully received because all of it goes to charity,” she said.

Apart from the Thailand ride, other fundraising efforts have also been organised for this month which include an event with Hands Across The Water founder Peter Baines OAM on February 18 followed by a social bike ride from Maryborough to Dunolly and back, the next day, February 19.

“The Maryborough-Dunolly ride is around 50 kms. We start at eight in the morning and should be back in Maryborough around lunchtime. Anyone who wants to donate, they can but it’s not a ticketed event,” Ms Ashton said.

“I would just love to see the continued support from the community — and would love to ride together, socialise and just enjoy it.”

Ms Ashton’s partner, Mr Leach, riding for the second time, said events and initiatives like these could help shape a brighter future for communities in need.

“Now that I have been to one of the homes we are supporting it makes it much more relevant to what we are raising the money for and can see first hand where the money is going and what impact this has for the children in this environment,” he said.

“I probably didn’t realise how important the money raised was until hearing the stories and seeing what the money is spent on.

“Even things as little as a trip to the beach or excursion for the kids helps me understand the importance of the money raised.”

To join the pair in their efforts and be a part of the social ride this month, register your interest at www.handsacrossthewater.org.au/event/social-bike-ride-kate-graeme/home

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