APRIL 14, 2019 • NEWS
Scott Waller (Group Manager – Regional), Darren Ferguson (Mid North Coast Regional Manager) and a horde of South West Rocks Locals (the Lipman Goal Breakers) set off on the three day bike ride on the 11th April from Armidale to South West Rocks to help raise funds and awareness for cancer prevention and research.
The annual ‘Tour de Rocks’ charity ride is a 210km mountain bike trail from Armidale, through the magnificent eastern fall forests, down the escarpment on to the mighty Macleay River winding our way to the clear blue waters at the beautiful fishing village of South West Rocks. The scenery is breath-taking (literally), but we doubt they will notice as 98% of the ride is off-road and includes some of roughest and steepest terrain in NSW. Mountain bikes all the way. Heroes!
Well done, Scott, Darren and the Goal Breakers! We’re proud to be supporting you and your team. Have a safe ride and congrats on doing such hard yards for a great cause.
Why we support the Tour de Rocks and the regional community
The Tour de Rocks organisation was established over 6 years ago and has raised over $1.5m for regional cancer research, awareness and prevention programs.
Their mantra within the organisation is that their budget for expenses is zero. With 11 board members, around 15 subcommittee members managing this extraordinary event.
”Nothing compares with a regional community for generosity of spirit when the call goes out that we need a hand. The volunteers, donated equipment, resources and product required to feed and water in excess of 500 people including a baked dinner at the Junction, has to be seen to be believed. The catering team has become legendary”.
Whilst their primary focus is cancer, there are many parallel activities that strengthen the tour de rocks reputation as a worthy cause. They provide the opportunity for people to give something back to the communities, the opportunity for people to do something they thought unachievable, and significantly an activity that brings families together through common objectives; building memories that will last a lifetime and will be drawn upon when times get tough. There are very often tears at the finish line when people realise what they have achieved not only through completing the ride, but also successfully fundraising and contributing to their communities.
The event has been recognised twice as the most successful local community event at the Australia Day awards.
