Extended family to take part in postie bike trek

On May 3, a group of 23 riders and 27 support crew will head off on a 3000km trek riding decommissioned postie bikes to raise money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and to celebrate the life of Dennis Jeffers from Possum Brush, who died in January 2015 from complications related to pancreatic cancer.

Daniel Krantz from Tinonee initiated the ride, called The Jindaboonda Postie Trek, for his wife's uncle, who he also affectionately called Uncle Den.

"He was diagnosed about two months before his death, so his battle was brief. We are a very close family, and naturally his passing devastated us," said Daniel.

An ecologist by trade, Dennis worked closely with the Aboriginal community, who gave him the name Jindaboonda.

"After his death, I felt like I needed to participate in a fundraising event in his memory."

Daniel researched a number of already established events but felt nothing suited what he wanted to achieve when it came to fundraising.

"Den was always a keen motorcyclist, as I am, and we were always planning to go riding together, but never got around to it.

"Den's two sons also ride."

Daniel approached Den's wife, Aunty Kim, and asked her opinion on him organising a ride on posties with the two boys as a type of healing process and also to raise money for a cancer research organisation.

"It had only been six months since Den's passing, so I wasn't sure about the type of reception my idea would get. She thankfully loved it and wholeheartedly threw herself at it.

"Before I knew it a whole lot of extended family wanted to take part as well."

Next Dan needed to organise the postie bikes.

He contacted his cousin, who has been employed with Australia Post for about 30 years (and who himself lost his father to cancer), and was able to buy the bikes at a reasonable price.

"Then I started planning the route."

The Jindaboonda Postie Trek will leave the Possum Brush home of Kim Jeffers on May 3 and will cover three states (NSW, South Australia and Queensland) as it heads to Cameron Corner and back, arriving home on May 12.

Riders needed to raise a minimum amount to take part.

Daniel has spent months organising accommodation, obtaining fuel and food assistance as well as sponsorship and media coverage.

He has received plenty of support.

"I've never done anything like it I am enjoying it."

Fundraising is well underway and in the first week of April the event's Everyday Hero fundraising page showed almost $18,000 raised.

As an added boost, the women of the ride will hold a headshave fundraiser on April 23, with the support of the Hallidays Point Lions Club.

Amy James, Kim Jeffers, Rebecca Jeffers, Hannah Kranz, Melissa Lawson, Ella Lawson and Lucy Schneider have all committed to shaving their heads as part of the Shave Years Off Cancer Research event, being held at Black Head Surf Club between 3pm and 7pm.

In addition to the headshave, there will be music, a cake stall, face painting, barbecue, raffles, an auction of sports memorabilia, local artwork and more.

You can learn more about The Jindaboonda Postie Trek at the Facebook page of the same name.

To donate, head to the Everyday Hero website, or you can attend the headshave on April 23.