Spinning to help rescue chopper
A spin class is ‘‘setting the wheels in motion’’ to raise money for a potentially life-saving charity.
The Canterbury-West Coast Air Rescue Trust (CWCART) will be the recipient of funds raised by a spin class from Cadence Cycling Studio when it attempts to pedal for 25 hours straight this weekend.
About 20 ‘‘crazy’’ members, along with an instructor and support group, will attempt the feat from 9am on Saturday, Ferrymead manager Te Rangimaria Ngarimu, known as T, said.
If they make it through to 10am on Sunday with at least 10 still going, they will also break a Guinness World Record for the longest indoor static cycling class.
Ngarimu said the idea was ‘‘conceived about five or six months ago’’ and many members – from athletes to ‘‘normal Joe Bloggs’’ – had signed up to take part.
‘‘The work [CWCART has] done, here in Canterbury but also up in Kaikoura as well . . . we thought they’d be the best one to donate to,’’ she said.
‘‘Once we thought of what we were going to do, and the people we were going to fundraise for, we started setting the wheels in motion. ‘‘I’m one of the crazy people that’s doing it as well.’’
Spinners would usually complete about 25 to 30 kilometres during a regular 45-minute class, she said.
‘‘We’re not worried about distance. It’s all about the time . . . and the 10 people have to go from start to finish, they can’t chop and change.’’
CWCART chief executive Christine Prince said the charity needed to raise $7 million each year to stay afloat.
Efforts like the world record attempt did ‘‘more than make the financial contribution’’.
‘‘Obviously we’re very, very appreciative of the money that comes from the event, but it also helps raise the profile of Air Rescue and get the message across to people that we are only partly Government funded and we do two to three missions every 24 hours.
‘‘To get that message out, when an event like this happens, everybody involved in the event or who hears about it gets to know why they’re doing it.’’
Prince said last summer was one of CWCART’s busiest, partly due to November’s North Canterbury earthquake.
‘‘We’re very fortunate that a lot of people, when they’re doing fundraisers, think of us. We’ve had all types of different sponsored events but this is the first time we’ve had an event like this – with such a goal.’’
Members from both the Ferrymead and Hornby Cadence Cycling studios will be involved in the attempt at the Ferrymead branch on Saturday.
People can donate to the fundraising effort by visiting givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ cadenceworldrecord
". . . and the 10 people have to go from start to finish, they can't chop and change." Ferrymead manager Te Rangimaria Ngarimu