The HMAS Melbourne charity bike ride team (L-R): LSPT Vanessa Dickson, SMN Cameron Evans, AB Matt Edmunds, LS Richard Bracken, SMN Nikki Falkner, AB Adrian Collins, CPO Kris Grove, SBLT Lorraine Sammut, LEUT Tony Winter and LS Steven Jones. Photo by POPH Kev Bristow.

Canadian exchange officer SBLT Lorraine Sammut brought her bicycle with her when she began a deployment in HMAS Melbourne earlier this year.

She is now using it to raise money for the Sir David Martin Foundation.

Lorraine is one of ten members of Melbourne's ship's company pedalling 1000 kilometres from Fleet Base East to Melbourne raising money along the way.

Lady Suzie Martin flagged the riders away from the side of their ship on Monday, November 12.

The foundation is the ship's favoured charity.

Supported by two support vehicles driven by shipmates, the riders headed south from Sydney making Shellharbour in the Illawarra their first overnight stop.

As the riders travelled through villages, towns and cities they are calling at clubs and hotels with collection buckets extended.

They are also talking with civic leaders.

Team leader, LSPT Vanessa Dickson said the ship's company had not done the charity ride since 1997.

"In that year the riders raised $3,200," she said.

"We are hoping for $10,000 this time," she added.

Joining Lady Martin to farewell were the CO of the warship CMDR Steve McDowall, retired admiral Tony Horton and shipmates.

Earlier the riders and supporters had tucked into a breakfast prepared dockside by the Telstra Friends.

Those taking part in the ride are LEUT Tony Winter, SBLT Lorraine Sammut, LSPT Vanessa Dickson, LS Richard Bracken, SMN Cameron Evans, AB Adrian Collins, CPO Kris Grove, SMN Nikki Falkner, LS Steven Jones and AB Matt Edmunds.

LS Kath Smith and AB Hayden Kennedy are driving the support vehicles.