Aidan Curtis
A GROUP of South East men are preparing to once again take on the 2023 Apex Outback Postie Bike Ride and raise funds to support cancer patients.
From Thursday September 7 until Sunday, September 10, postie bike riders Darren Walters, Terry Fabish, Jim Slattery and Charlie Matthews will take on 1,000km of rough terrain through the Flinders Ranges.
The men, along with around 70 other riders from around South Australia, do it all for a good cause in raising money to alleviate pressures on people undergoing cancer treatments.
All funds raised go towards Apex Copper Coast Retreats which, in partnership with the Cancer Council, give families affected by cancer a week-long getaway in Wallaroo.
For Mr Walters, while it started as “just a group of blokes from TAFE”, being a part of the Outback Postie Bike Ride has become a meaningful part of his life.
He said most of the group, excepting Mr Matthews who is in his second year of participating, have risked a lot and broken bones to take part in the ride, but there were good reasons to keep coming back every year.
“Camaraderie, friendship, good times and also being able to make a small change in the world,” Mr Walters said.
“It is a hard ride, a very hard ride, and I’m getting older, not younger.”
Mr Walters said there were also personal connections for the group to take part every year despite the challenge.
“Jim Slattery’s brother was one of the originals that started it; him and a few others were riding around upper South Australia and they were trying to make it harder and harder,” he said.
“It originally started off as an insane ride, but then they worked out very quickly they could make money out of this, and that’s when it went into the Cancer Council.
“Then it turned into doing a business plan and then getting into the retreats [at Wallaroo].”
Mr Walters said there was always plenty of support from the community, with places like Trident Tyre Centre regularly contributing to the group’s fundraising.
“Realistically, we’re probably looking at raising nearly $10,000 if we can – us four,” he said.
“On average, the actual ride itself raises between $100,000 and $120,000.
“By all means, donate to either one or all four of us, or if a bigger business wants to come to us and donate, we’d appreciate that as well.”
To contribute to the group’s efforts, visit mycause.com.au/events/apexoutbackpostiebikeride
