A TEAM of 18 cyclists from the Victoria Police made their way through Mount Gambier this week raising funds for an important cause.
Arriving in the city around 4pm, the men showed off their custom lycra and banner, which proudly displayed the Cystic Fibrosis Victoria logo, in an attempt to shine a light on the tragic condition.
Years ago, Victoria Police Sergeant Greg Green was rocked with the news that his daughter was suffering from the debilitating condition and was inspired with the idea to complete a Cycle 4 Cystic Fibrosis.
“My daughter is seven and she suffers from the life-threatening condition along with 3000 other Australians,” Sgt Green said.
“She was the inspiration for this idea and we did it a couple of years ago with two main objectives – to raise awareness about the condition and raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria, which does a fantastic job for sufferers.”
Riding in the support car this time around, Sgt Green said the riders were “spent” after completing three legs of the ride, but the underlining inspiration would help them carry on.
“I did this ride a couple of years ago and by day three and four everyone is absolutely spent and this year I can tell it is no different,” Sgt Green said.
“They are going beyond their limits and the fact they are willing to do that for a cause they may not know much about, but are willing to learn about, is absolutely overwhelming.”
While Sgt Green’s daughter served as the initial inspiration, this year’s ride also focused on another young boy diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
Brody McPherson was diagnosed at four weeks of age and now takes 10 different medications totalling nearly 40 doses daily.
Despite this, Brody will not let it define him and continues to carry on living life to the fullest.
“Brody is like our little mascot on this ride and we have been learning more and more about him each day,” Sgt Green said.
While the cyclists departed Mount Gambier on Tuesday morning, they still faced a long journey ahead along the Great Ocean Road and are expected to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow.
“The people who come up to us and say thank you along the way and tell us their stories related to cystic fibrosis make it all worth it,” Sgt Green said.
“It just shows how widespread the impact is and it is quite overwhelming for the riders to hear the stories.”
Visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/cycle4cysticfibrosis for more details and to make a donation.
