Pedalling up for cause
Bikes4Burns riders gear up for hospital challenge
‘‘ WE HELP EACH OTHER ALONG; IT’S JUST OUR NATURE AND TO MAKE SURE WE GET THROUGH IT.
FIREFIGHTER STEWART LANGE
TWO Toowoomba firefighters will feel the burn in their legs as they tackle a mammoth ride for research.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Kitchener St officers Stewart Lange and Graham Horchner will today head to the Gold Coast from where they will set out on the 750km Bikes4Burns ride.
The meandering ride will take them from the Southport fire station through Boonah on to Killarney before arriving in Toowoomba on Sunday.
The 46-strong cycling contingent, made up of current and former QFES, police, Queensland Ambulance, Rural Fire Service and SES members, will then ride on to Blackbutt, Toogoolawah, Mt Crosby then end at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.
It is the seventh ride for Mr Horchner, and the second for Mr Lange but both are keen for the challenge.
“Unfortunately we do see at the beginning the effects of burns so it’s great to be able to be involved with an organisation (and see) where our funds go,” Mr Lange said.
“We can raise money and we can help people.”
Bikes4Burns aims to raise as much as possible, and previous years has seen more than $40,000 in total delivered to the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital burns unit.
Each rider also collects funds and, in the everlasting spirit of friendly rivalry between each member of every service taking part, there’s competition to raise the most for a common good cause.
That rivalry will also inspire each rider along the 750km ride which, on day two from Boonah to Killarney riding up a 4km vertical incline of the Main Range National Park.
”It’s the camaraderie that we do experience in these organisations and it is great having people from the different services,” Mr Lange said.
“We help each other along; it’s just our nature and to make sure we get through it.”
The riders are expected to arrive in Toowoomba in two groups on Sunday where they will meet up at the PCYC on James St.
A QFES convoy will see them off about 8am Monday.
To support Mr Lange, donate online at bike4burns2018. everydayhero.com/au/stewlange or Mr Horchner at bike4burns2018.everydayhero.com/au/graham-horchner.