A group of Firies have set off, from Liverpool Fire Station, on their 12th annual 400in4 Charity Bike Ride.
More than 20 riders are on their way to Wagga Wagga by coach this morning, and will depart on their 460 kilometre trek through rural NSW and back to Sydney.
The ride will promote fire safety awareness for families and school children they meet along the way and will finish at the Burns Unit of The Children’s Hospital in Westmead, at about 1pm on Friday.
Over the years the ride has raised more than $570,000 for the hospital and has assisted buying new equipment, hire extra staff and improve its facilities.
All funds raised will be used to help the unit fund a research fellow to undertake trials new yeas to approach to the treatment of burns and research into the laser treatment of scars.
Fire & Rescue NSW Firefighter Scott Hanley said the goal for this year’s ride is to raise another $100,000 for the unit.
“Aside from promoting the Burns Unit, like we do every year, we will be promoting our winter fire campaign – the change your clock, change your fire alarm battery campaign,” Mr Hanley said.
“It is about people to switch on with fire safety coming into the cooler months because there is a spike in fires as people bring out their heaters and electric blankets out.
“At the schools we will also have a kitchen fire simulator which shows people what to do when there is a cooking oil fire and not to throw water on it because water actually makes it explode and makes it worse.”
Mr Hanley said the ride has already raised more than $75,000 towards this year’s target.
“We are still selling raffle tickets so people can buy them online right up until Friday, when we draw the raffle at the hospital.
“All of the information is online if people wanted to check it out.”
The route will consist of the following stops:
- Monday – Depart Liverpool Fire Station by coach to Wagga Wagga
- Tuesday – Wagga Wagga to Gundagai (83kms)
- Wednesday – Gundagai to Goulburn (182kms)
- Thursday – Goulburn to Bowral (87kms)
- Friday – Bowral, through Liverpool, to Westmead (105kms).
Along the way the riders will stop in the following schools:
- Monday at 2.30pm – South Wagga Wagga Primary School
- Tuesday at 1.30pm – St Patricks Catholic School in Gundagai
- Thursday at 1pm – Berrima Public School