Some members of the Navy Charity Bike Ride Team which raised $251,000 for charity. Picture: LSPH Shane Cameron.

The Navy Charity Bike Ride Team raised a total of $251,000 during its recent 2000 kilometre ride from Rockhampton to Nowra.

Apart from raising the cash, described as the best charity fundraising effort by any ADF group, the ride also generated an estimated $1.5 million in media exposure.

PO Rick Meehan, the ride director, told Navy News that 113 television interviews were given by members of the team between Rockhampton and Nowra.

Countless radio interviews were made, while the team's webpage has so far attracted over 112,000 hits.

The web page, which is still active, can be viewed at http://bike.pccentre.com.au/

The 2000 kilometre ride, which took three weeks to complete, attracted messages of support from HM the Queen as well as the Prime Minister, John Howard.

This was the sixth bike ride of its kind, the first being in 1990.

The growing popularity of the event can be gauged from the fact that the 1990 ride raised just $15,500 compared to this year's total of $251,000.

Proceeds from the rides go to raising much needed funds and awareness for children with special needs, including those with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and even behavioural problems.

Members of the Navy Charity Bike Ride Team are not only accomplished cyclists but utilise their many talents, such as busking and public speaking, to raise funds for the cause about which they are passionate.

By Jerzy Farynski