Drought hits cyclists' fundraising effort

Previous || > Next

The drought has impaired the fundraising effort of a former All Black cycling the length of New Zealand, Neonatal Trust chief executive Michael Meads says.

Former All Black Christian Cullen (37) and seven other cyclists pedalled from Oamaru to Dunedin yesterday during a 19-day ride of the length of New Zealand to raise $1 million for the Neonatal Trust.

Mr Cullen said the first few days of the ride were the hardest.

''We did 174km and then 160km-odd. They were the toughest, but after that, your body gets used to it and your bum gets hard.''

Mr Meads said they would not reach the $1 million goal because New Zealanders were not spending because they were worried about the dry weather.

''The country is so dry, it is parched, and people have been saying we would love to give you more, but we need to hold on to that money because we don't know what this drought is going to do.''

Mr Cullen said he was fundraising because his Paraparaumu neighbour, Mr Meads (53), leant over the fence and asked him to.

''I've got four young kids myself and I know the importance of them being healthy when they are born. That's all you wish for. I can't imagine what a family goes though when their kid is sick.''

After the final leg, he planned to watch cyclist Eugene Collin's attempt at a world record by riding a bike around the Invercargill Velodrome for 24 hours, he said.

Rider Darryl Ross (52), of Wellington, said he got a puncture and a bee sting, went over his handlebars, had a heart attack, and then rode 150km before stopping to have a stent inserted on Friday.

He rejoined the pack in Christchurch to continue fundraising because his 7-year-old daughter was premature.

''I want to help the cause, without dying for it.''

Former All Black Tony Brown met the riders in Northeast Valley yesterday with some beers and cycled to the Octagon with them.

The pack planned to ride to Gore today and then to Bluff and Invercargill tomorrow.

- shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz