General News
12 April, 2024
Wings4Kidz charity ride sets off
On Friday, April 5, the second annual 'Fe-mail' postie bike ride set off from Gilgandra in support of regional charity Wings4Kidz.
On Friday, April 5, the second annual 'Fe-mail' postie bike ride set off from Gilgandra in support of regional charity Wings4Kidz. The charity provides flights for regional families needing to travel long distances to seek specialized treatment for children suffering from medical conditions. Sixty-seven ladies, from as far as Sydney, rode their post bikes from Gilgandra to Dubbo in wet conditions last Friday afternoon. Their morning start was delayed by steady rainfall the night prior that continued into Friday. Despite the setbacks and muddy conditions of the country back roads, all 67 riders made it to Dubbo. A total of $127,000 has been raised by the Never Late Fe-mail Ride so far.
A 'Pink and Glitter' dinner was held at the Services Club the night before on last Thursday, April 4, to welcome the women riders to Gilgandra. All riders and organizers dressed in their best pink outfits. Three local families who are supported by the charity were also invited to the night, giving the riders a chance to meet those who their cause provides for. It was a wonderful night for all full of laughs, good food, and good company. An auction and card game raffle were held with all proceedings going towards Wings4Kidz. The night raised $1500 for the charity, in addition to the $1400 raised by Gilgandra's Royal Hotel meat raffles.
Garry Rogers, the Never Late Bike Ride event organizer, stresses the importance of a charity like Wings4Kidz for regional Australians. It saves families the need to commit to long trips to and from the city for treatment which can be burdensome and costly. "Replacing this with a comfortable one-hour flight reduces financial stress, is safe, and less fatiguing," says Wings4Kidz in a public letter. To date, Wings4Kidz continues to support 76 families in rural Australia. They aim to "lessen the burden and effect of long-distance travel for these children and families". Pilots volunteer their time and planes towards the cause. All public donations go directly to funding flights, with no administration fees or employee wages to split money between.
