Huge cycle ride for charity

Pupils to benefit

Two businessmen are biking 350 kilometres to help make sure every Porirua child learns on a full stomach.

Pukerua Bay residents Tim and Victoria Upton started The Breakfast Club in 2011 to provide food and kitchen equipment to lowdecile schools.

‘‘Kids need to go to school and have food,’’ Tim Upton said. ‘‘It’s not a 7 or 8-yearold’s fault that his parents can’t afford to buy breakfast, for whatever reason.

‘‘The kids deserve to have a meal.’’

Although they have donated ovens, fridges and food to Holy Family and Russell schools, money is low.

‘‘We’ve basically had no money in the account.’’

Upton came up with the idea of riding to raise money and it wasn’t long before ROSA Foods managing director Justin Lemmens jumped on the idea, too.

The men have been train- ing since March to achieve their goal of cycling from Taupo to Te Rauparaha Arena on October 11, 12 and 13.

‘‘I’m completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve done a few rides but I’m not a cyclist,’’ Upton said.

Lemmens agreed and said while he enjoyed riding, he had never ridden that far.

‘‘I know we will finish. We really want to get our target,’’ he said.

They have raised $3000 of the $10,000 goal, but are sure they will get more.

‘‘ You can’t solve the country’s problems, but you can make a positive contribution to things in the community,’’ Lemmens said. ‘‘It’s a case of we can do something to help directly.’’

The pair will make an amusing sight, with matching outfits they describe as looking much like the Bananas in Pyjamas.