900kmtour for sick grandson
The pedal power of Dave Clay has raised more than $20,000 for a Hamilton-based charitable trust.
Clay rode into the True Colours headquarters triumphant on March 13 after completing a 12-day cycle tour of the Waikato.
The aim of the journey was to raise funds and awareness for True Colours, a trust that supports children and their families through the difficulties and grief of a chronic, life-limiting or life-threatening illness.
His cause was spread far and wide, as Clay ventured through 23 towns and covered 937km.
Disembarking from Cambridge on March 2, Clay rode across the area True Colours services, which is within the Waikato District Health Board jurisdiction.
The route saw him travel to towns such as Mangakino, Tokoroa, Matamata, Te Aroha, Paeroa, Whitianga, Coromandel, Ngaruawahia and Raglan.
A highlight for Clay was riding through the back roads and country side of Te Awamutu and Taumaranui.
Another was stopping for morning tea with a family who had benefited from the work of True Colours in Benneydale, Waitomo.
‘‘We got there, and they had morning tea waiting for us on the side of the road,’’ Clay said.
‘‘That was a special little adventure... one of the things I’ll remember.’’
Clay, from Morrinsville, has a personal connection with True Colours. The charity has supported his grandson, Hadleigh, and their extended family.
Hadleigh, 3, was born premature and suffers from chronic health conditions.
True Colours Children’s Health Trust chief executive Cynthia Ward described Clay as a ‘‘super hero’’.
‘‘I am totally blown away that what started out as an idea over a chat and a coffee grew into such a fantastic achievement.
‘‘Dave and (his wife) Louise’s tenacity for making things happen are to be admired. It is one thing to have an idea, quite another to achieve the result.’’
As a community-funded organisation, money raised for True Colours goes a long way to ensure that families gain the support they require when going through the toughest of times, Ward said.
‘‘It is because of supporters like Dave and Louise that we can continue to provide these services and do not have a waiting list.’’