Scooter safari riders on ‘gruelling’ fundraising drive
THE sound of horns tooting and 250 scooters spluttering into life filled the air around Christchurch Airport early yesterday as a group of high-spirited hardy souls set out on a long, winding journey over the Southern Alps.
The group were taking part in a scooter safari to raise funds for the Cancer Society. The safari is the brainchild of North Canterbury couple Jayne and Mike Rattray, who came up with the ‘‘crazy idea’’ after a friend was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
‘‘We thought if he’s going to get a sore butt, then we should too,’’ the couple explained.
Their first safari in 2009 attracted just 32 riders and raised $14,000, but this year’s attracted around 330 riders, some working in teams, and is on track to raise around $215,000.
‘‘We’ve been totally blown away,’’ Jayne said. ‘‘We never even imagined that when we came up with this crazy idea in 2009 that it would snowball into the huge event that it is today. The idea of riding 50cc scooters over the Southern Alps in wintry conditions seems to capture everyone’s interest – it’s not something you would normally do.’’ But she said the scooter safari was not for the faint-hearted.
‘‘It’s not a race, nor is it a fun day out. 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. We’re doing this to show our support for the hardship those living with cancer go through during their treatment.’’
Taking part in yesterday’s rally were a group of co-workers from Sydenham Pre-school, some of whom had never ridden a scooter before, and dressed as The Spice Girls. Rhonda Duncraft said they decided to get involved because two of the group had had personal experiences with cancer.
By late yesterday afternoon the safari had reached Hokitika.