Scooter safari aims for $1million
A fundraising event which started out as a small show of support for a friend is now nearing the $1 million mark.
The Scooter Safari was started up by Jayne and Mike Rattray, both of whom live and work in Rangiora.
‘‘We started it in 2009 in support of our young friend and colleague, Blair Newton who was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer,’’ Jayne said.
‘‘It started small with the idea snowballing into what is now a massive biennial event.’’
This is no race for the faint hearted — it is designed to be the coldest, longest, hardest, most gruelling and uncomfortable test of endurance on a city scooter to raise money and awareness for cancer sufferers.
The Scooter Safari is a charity event involving 250 motorised 50cc scooters riding 250kms Coast-to-Coast over the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Hokitika to raise funds for the NZ Cancer Society - Canterbury/ West Coast Branch.
The next ride is just around the corner, on Saturday May 20, and Jayne is hopeful the target of $1million will have been well and truly surpassed by the time the scooters set off.
‘‘Registrations sold out in just four days and we are well under way fundraising with over $195,000 donated thus far.
‘‘Over the previous five events we have banked $789,000, so our target of $1million is very much in reach now.’’
18 of the 25 riders involved in this year’s ride are from Rangiora, plus four from Kaiapoi, so it will have real Waimakariri feel to it.
Jayne said the Scooter Safari was a great distraction for Blair during his treatment and recovery.
‘‘He rode with us twice as the Stig and Elvis before sadly passing away in 2014. The ride has carried on in his memory and in support of the thousands of others that the event has inspired and supported through the funds raised.’’
Nine years on and Jayne and Mike are still going strong, organising the event in between raising two kids, running a lifestyle block and working.
‘‘We couldn’t do it without all the support from our team of helpers and marshals on the day, our suppliers and sponsors. And of course, all the riders who take part and get out there raising awareness and bringing in the fundraising dollars.’’
More than 1000 have been taken on the scooter safari since its inception, and judging by the number of new entrants this year, interest in the event is still growing.
Riders are expected from across the country NZ and even off shore, and many of them will be dressed up, so even if you are not keen on a scoot over the alps, it promises to be a bit of fun for spectators too.
The ride starts 9am at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park with several laps around the track before setting off towards the Alps on State Highway 73 to Hokitika, stopping off at the Sheffield Pie Shop for morning tea before tackling the Porters and Arthur’s Pass and the treacherous Otira Viaduct. The ride finishes up at Hokitika’s Beachfront Hotel by 5pm.