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Over 20 riders will be part of the Hunters team that is hitting the road in April to raise vital funds for Huntington’s Victoria.
It is the 12th year that the Hunters have taken part in the Murray to Moyne cycle relay, a 520 kilometre ride across Victoria.
Teams will leave from either Mildura, Echuca or Swan Hill on Saturday April 4 and ride to the banks of the Moyne River in Port Fairy in a little over 24 hours.
It is a team-relay event with experienced riders in the Hunters team expected to cover between 200 and 250 kilometres each during the ride.
The Hunters was founded in 2009 by Melbourne man Simon Philpot after the death of his wife Joanne in 2008 from Huntington’s disease.
Their son Jacob is the event organiser for the Hunters and he said all funds raised this year would be donated to Huntington’s Victoria to support people suffering from HD.
“It is great way for us to raise awareness and funds,” he said.
“I know how debilitating this disease is and it is hard on families to do all the things you need to do like home modifications and getting specialised equipment. Anything we can do to help ease the burden on families we are happy to do.
“The beautiful thing about this ride is that every team is raising funds for health services.”
Mr Philpot, who also lost his aunt and uncle to HD, said the most challenging part of the ride was the long day on Saturday, travelling from Echuca to Hamilton.
The team camps overnight in a cow shed in Hamilton before riding the rest of the way to Port Fairy on Sunday morning.
Support the Hunters
Since 2009 the Hunters have raised over $150,000 for Huntington’s research and organisations that support people with HD.
This year’s team will be the biggest to take part in the ride and they hope to raise over $20,000.
Huntington’s Victoria CEO Tammy Gardner praised the Hunters for their ongoing support and urged people to donate to the team.
“To take part in this event for 12 years in a row shows the dedication and commitment of the Hunters to our community,” she said.
“Every dollar raised will go to providing vital support and assistance for families living with HD.”
If you would like to support the team with a donation, visit the Hunters fundraising page.
Watch this video about the Hunters and the ride: Riding for Huntington’s
