Father cycles 3500km, beats original goal
‘‘I would like to say a big thank you to the local support and all the business bosses that helped me blow my $5000 target to $12,000. So thank you to everyone who donated.’’
Waiuku’s Shayne Thomson has done it.
The owner of Froggies, Waiuku, has cycled over 3500 kilometres during the month of July and ‘‘smashed’’ his original goal of fundraising $5000.
Thomson finished his indoor journey at the end of the month where he pedaled 80km to end his stint behind the handle bars of the exercycle.
Thomson originally set out to cycle 3000km during July, while copying each stage of the worldrenowned Tour de France cycle race, to help raise money for Diabetes New Zealand after his daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes last year.
He raised over $11,000 and cycled 3540km.
Thomson said the hardest part about the exercycle journey was approaching the end.
However, he said he must have been ‘‘relatively fit’’ before hopping on the cycle and said that his results were a testament to that.
The father of two was excited for what the future held for Diabetes New Zealand and said a majority of the funds raised would go towards the manufacturing of Jerry the Bear - an interactive teddy bear that educates children, with type one diabetes, how to test blood sugar levels, count carbs and inject insulin.
Thomson’s final bid to raise more money was a pitch to the public stating that he would shave his legs if funds reached $10,000.
‘‘The fact that I was lying there in pain made them put their hands in their pocket,’’ laughed Thomson.
His cycling days aren’t over though.
He plans to continue cycling to raise money and hopes to complete a 150km cycle ride around Taupo next year.
He thanked those who supported him and donated.
‘‘I would like to say a big thank you to the local support and all the business bosses that helped me blow my $5000 target to $12,000.
‘‘So thank you to everyone who donated.’’