Friday 20th May 2022
Page 8
TRANZALPINE SCOOTER SAFARI
Kieran Heenan kph@meareswilliams.co.nz
Anita Molloy-Roberts am@meareswilliams.co.nz W: www.meareswilliams.co.nz T: (03) 374 2547 Offices located at: Lincoln - 43 Gerald Street Rolleston - 80A Rolleston Ave Christchurch - 225 Papanui Rd
The 2022 Tranzalpine Scooter Safari taking place on Saturday, May 21st, is an endurance ride on motorised scooters going coast-to-coast over the stunning Southern Alps. Participants ride 250km from Christchurch to Hokitika to help try and create a future with less cancer by supporting the Cancer Society with this fundraiser. Every dollar raised through Scooter Safari will go towards cancer care across New Zealand, education and awareness programmes and life-saving cancer research. The Scooter Safari is one of the coldest, longest, hardest, most gruelling tests of endurance on a city scooter, but is nothing in comparison to the challenges people face in their cancer journey. The Scooter Safari was created in 2009 by Jayne and Mike Rattray, born in support of a friend (Blair) diagnosed with bowel cancer. They were also supported originally by Damion Haines, Ben Walker and Wayne Cook. From humble beginnings, the first ride saw 32 riders make the maiden voyage raising $14,000 in donations for the Cancer Society. Since then, the event has snowballed with over 250 scooters taking part each year and raising over $1.4 Million
dollars for the cause. Blair was a quick witted, funny guy who didn't complain about his lot-in-life, but instead lived it to the full everyday and encouraged others to do the same. He loved pimping his scooters and making his own costumes and rode in 2 of the 4 events as the Stig and Elvis. When Blair was diagnosed with bowel cancer, his mates decided they would band together and create the greatest ‘Pain in the Ass’ fundraiser they could think of to honour his cancer journey. Blair passed in 2014, surrounded by family. His final words to everyone, “If you think something’s not right down there, go to the doctor, get checked, and get in early. It
could save your life!” Stage one: the scooters travel from the start at the Vintage Car Club, McLeans Island, along the Old West Coast road to the famous Sheffield Pie Shop. Stage two: the scooters will make their way up Porters Pass to Lake Lyndon. Stage three: from Lake Lyndon riders make their way through Castlehill basin to Arthur's Pass. Stage four: from Arthur's Pass riders then make their way through the stunning Otira Viaduct towards Kumara Racecourse. Stage five: Kumara Racecourse to the finish line at the Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika. If you would like to donate visit: scootersafari.org.nz
West Melton based Nicola Garlick is looking forward to taking part in the Scooter Safari again. Both of Nicola’s parents were taken before their time due to cancer, her Dad at 64 years old and her Mum at 66 years old. This year Nicola has turned her Scooter into the Flintstone’s car, and this design has special meaning to her. “I knew I was going to do the Flintstone’s car for this ride as Dad made one over a four-wheel motorbike back in the early 90’s for the Westport Christmas Parade, so it is very fitting,” commented Nicola. “I'm super happy with how it's turned out. Now, let's just hope she makes it up the hill,” concluded Nicola. Nicola also has a Facebook page called Upcycled Plastic, anything purchased in her shop until May 21st has 100% of the money paid straight into her Scooter Safari fundraising account. If you would like to donate to Nicola’s page visit: scootersafari.org.nz/nicola-garlick
