A GROUP of residents with an interest in motorcycles are giving back to the community by raising money for a number of charities, both local and national.
Pamela (Pip) and Josh Smith, who own North Richmond cafe Pip’s Place, along with their friends Kylie Ramsay and Cindy McErlane, have begun hosting monthly fundraising nights which they’re calling Bike Night.
The events take place on the first Tuesday of every month at the Pip’s Place cafe, with funds raised going to a different charity each month.
Ms Ramsay told the Gazette they have raised $700 for the Heart Foundation and $670 for Pink Ribbon so far.
“The next one is in December, we’ll do a toy run for kid’s cancer. We’re setting up a Christmas tree and the money will go to the Westmead Children’s Hospital,” she said.
The crew came up with the idea for Bike Night while frequenting a regular bike haunt - Harry’s Cafe in Penrith.
“I was there last night and there was over 150 bikes. Can you imagine if every person who turned up there bought a raffle ticket?” said Ms Ramsay.
Their local Bike Night has been attracting up to 80 visitors. The group puts on a sausage sizzle, with meat donated by Value Valley Meats in North Richmond, and Connor's Gourmet Cuts in Werrington.
There is also a $10 chilli burger challenge, as well as music and entertainment, and a raffle with bike-related prizes. A trophy is also awarded to the best bike that turns up on the night.
“It’s about putting something back into our community. And showing people that all bikers aren’t bad,” said Ms Ramsay.
The evening is designed as a fun night out for everyone - not just bike-lovers.
Mr Smith from Pip’s Place said he and his wife were happy to hold Bike Night at their cafe as they also wanted to give back to the community.
“We just want to help out where we can. Our story is we’ve got six kids and we foster kids as well,” he said.
“Through riding myself and meeting people in the bike community, we come up with an idea that we could have a bike night for charity, and it kind of ballooned through everyone’s help.
“Next year we’ll be holding nights for men’s health, the Leukaemia Foundation, Red Nose Day for SIDS [sudden infant death syndrome] - because I lost a son to SIDS 20 years ago - and breast cancer and men’s health again.
“We also want to do the local SES and RFS - Pip and I have been in the RFS for 17 years now.”
The next Bike Night will take place on Tuesday, December 6 and will kick-off at 7pm. Everyone’s welcome, whether you have a bike or not.
For further details, visit the Bike Night Pip's Place page on Facebook.
