Ride for Red charity event gears up

The Gronks Social Riders Club and their friends are getting ready for the sixth annual Ride for Red charity ride raising money for Cancer Council Queensland.

The charity event to be held on October 1, started in 2017 and has since raised more than $27,000 as part of Cancer Council’s Do It For Cancer campaign.

The campaign encourages Queenslanders to fundraise and support locals affected by cancer, with a goal to raise more than $1.35 million in 2022.

Supporters can sign up to fundraise in their own way such as shaving, cutting or colouring their hair, running a marathon or quitting a bad habit.

During last year’s Ride for Red, 80 bikes and 10 cars joined in across Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast, stopping along the way for raffles, lunch, dinner, and an auction.

Event organiser Gary Blake was inspired to start the fundraiser after losing his close friend ‘Red’ to brain cancer in 2016.

|“Ride for Red is held in honour of our good friend Red, and each year we make more treasured memories together while raising funds to help those impacted by cancer,” Gary says.|

The event will kick off at the Big Fish Ampol Service Station at Pumicestone Rd, Caboolture, at 8.30am.

Riders and cars will make their way up the highway with a scenic ride via Somerset Dam heading to Enigmas Café, Esk, for morning tea, followed by a stop at Harlin Hotel for lunch with raffles at each stop. The final stop is at the Exchange Hotel for dinner, where there will be raffles and an auction.

“Everyone is touched by this dreadful illness, and what better way to help loved ones and their families than getting together for a ride and having some fun. Anyone is welcome to sign up and join us, it’s free to join the ride, and you can support Cancer Council Queensland by buying a few raffle tickets,” Gary says.

Heartfelt thanks

Cancer Council Queensland General Manager Fundraising, Marketing and Communication Meaghan Bush thanked Mr Blake for his dedication to raising awareness and funds for those affected by cancer.

“When communities come together to raise funds, they are making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, through raising vital funds for cancer research, prevention programs, and support services,” Meaghan says.

“With over 31,000 Queenslanders diagnosed with cancer each year, it is through fundraisers like Mr Blake’s that we can support them and their families through a difficult time.”

For more information about this year’s Ride for Red, phone Gary Blake on 0407 570 651 or visit the Facebook event page

More information about Cancer Council Queensland’s Do It For Cancer campaign can be found at doitforcancer.com.au