Four miles every four hours: Moama RSL charity runners Cody Haub, Josh O’Nial, Dylan Wright and Jasmin Malham will run 80 kilometres (four miles every four hours) in a 48-hour time frame in the hope of raising a significant amount for the Rochester recovery effort.
John Russell didn’t have to look too far when he went in search of a “gimmic’’ to attract attention to his fundraising ride for the Rochester flood effort.
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Mr Russell was turning 78 and decided that he would ride 78 kilometres, from the mountains to the sea, to raise money for the town which is the home of he and his wife Jane’s long-time friends.
He started at the top of the Dandenong Ranges, at Belgrave, then followed a bike track through Ferntree Gully, Boronia and back along Eastlink before eventually ending at Bonbeach train station.
“I ride a folding bike and although I ride regularly I’m not a professional cyclist,” he said.
Mr Russell has ridden in China, England and Vietnam and also organised a 4 1/2-day ride nine years ago from Echuca to Melbourne.
With a support crew including wife Jane and friends, Chris and Del Khoo, Vicki Louder, Liz and Glynn Dalton he started at 9am and finished at 2.30pm, stopping at Wantirna and Dandenong for a short respite.
And straight after the ride he was off to Perth for a wedding.
“There were floodwaters across Dandenong Creek, which we avoided, but we were lucky that it was the only good day in Melbourne (weather wise) for ages,” he said.
Mr Russell described the event, which raised about $7500, as low key and his wife had been in regular contact with Jodie at the Rochester Community House.
“Janet and Wayne, our friends, were fully insured. We wanted the money to go to the community itself, those who were really impacted financially,’’ he said.
“We will finalise everything in the next two weeks and have a final barbecue to thank those who helped.”
Mr Russell had great support from his Probus group and Chelsea Bowling Club, who were the biggest contributors.
“We did the whole thing in three weeks, if I had more time I would have done more,” he said.
Co-ordinators of fundraising for the flood recovery effort are encouraging people who can afford it to make a financial donation, instead of goods, because of the extraordinary response to the initial appeal for food, clothing and other necessary items.
Details of the Rochester Community Bank — Flood Recovery Account are: Bendigo Bank. BSB: 633 000. Account: 197 548 621.
• Moama RSL staff members Cody Haub and Josh O’Nial will combine with two other staff members to do their bit, on foot, for the Rochester community.
Dylan Wright and Jasmin Malham will combine with the pair to embark on the four miles every four hours for 48 hours running challenge to help raise money for flood-affected Rochester in Victoria.
On Monday and Tuesday, December 12-13, they will be running four miles (6.4km) every four hours for 48 hours — eventually running 80km.
All money raised will be donated to the Rochester community.
For those people interested in supporting the cause they can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/k5dfnn-rochester-floods?
People can also drop some change into the donation tin, located at the main bar of the Moama RSL.
The team has already passed the $1000 mark and is continuing to promote the event in the lead-up to completing the two marathon distance.
Happy 78th: John Russell rode his fold-up bike 78km to celebrate his 78th birthday and raise money for Rochester people affected by floods.
Finish line: John Russell started his ride at Belgrave in the Dandenong Ranges and followed a bike track all the way to the Bonbeach railway station.
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