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Wheely good cause
By Rachel Irving

Volume 49, No. 5, April 05, 2007
 
VARIETY OF LIFE: It was all good fun when the 2007 Variety Club Bike Run contingent stopped into RAAF Base Pearce as part of their charity fundraiser. Pictured left is OFFCDT Ben Hansen, ‘Spiderman’ Terry Shaw, ‘Spiderwoman’ Sue Miller, ‘Clown’ Harley Springer, ‘Nun’ Andi Cotglove, ‘Pirate’ Mick O’Byrne and OFFCDT Steven Hill.
Photo by Rachel Irving
 
WHAT do Bananas in Pyjamas, a nun, a pirate, Mickey Mouse and Spiderman have in common? They all ride motorbikes.

Seriously – they were all part of the 2007 Variety Club Bike Run contingent which roared into RAAF Base Pearce last month.

With 50 bikes, more than 80 motorbike riders and an assortment of support vehicles, the group made an impressive sight as it made its way through the base for a flightline morning tea.

Described by one rider as “the most fun you’ll ever have on two wheels”, the run aimed to net $150,000 for the sick, disadvantaged and special needs children of Western Australia.

Base Commander WGCDR Tony Thorpe said of Pearce’s hosting role: “I think it’s a good way to give something back to people who have done a lot for a very worthy cause.

“Given the flying theme for this run, it’s a great way for us to link in with the riders and emphasise the great community involvement that Defence has with the local region.”

The riders left Toodyay on March 2 and travelled first to Pearce, where they were met by air stewardesses serving boxes of RAAF – Really Awful Airline Food – from a food trolley.

The riders got up-close and personal with a PC-9 and a Hawk, while Air Force personnel took a peek at some of the bikes and their decorations.

The aeronautical theme of this year’s 1400km ride was emphasised by the visit, as well as activities along the way, including paper-plane-flying competitions and a stopover in the wheat belt town of Cunderdin, a place with historical links to Air Force.

Bike run co-ordinator, Russell Lanyon, said that besides the fun, the best thing about the ride was the fundraising for children in need.

“We donate cheques along the way to various groups,” he said. “Tonight we are donating $7500 to a school in New Norcia for educational equipment. Tomorrow night we are giving $10,000 to Wongan Hills cubby house group to finish off their cubby house, and we also had a presentation to an Aboriginal community outside Derby.

“The riders raise money throughout the year and this weekend is a way of Variety saying thank you to them.”