A fundraising total more than three times above what he'd originally thought possible has "overwhelmed" Jindaboonda Postie Trek organiser Daniel Kranz.
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“I still can’t believe it.”
The 3160km inaugural run out west, which saw 23 riders and 27 support crew (including 10 kids under 10) has raised close to $54,000 for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).
"It's bigger than I ever thought."
Originally Daniel predicted the trek could raise between $10,000 and $15,000 and anything over would be a bonus.
The 10-day ride on decommissioned postie bikes was held to honour of Dennis Jeffers from Possum Brush, who died in January 2015 from complications related to pancreatic cancer, and raise money for the ACRF.
The name Jindaboonda was given to him by the Aboriginal community, who he worked closely with in his work as an ecologist.
For many participants, the ride was their first trip on a motorcycle.
“Some of the riders earned their L-plates to ride a motorcycle just so they could participate.”
A small number of riders also worked in teams to cover the distance.
Daniel said the experience was “unbelievable, phenomenal”.
“The best night was at Byrock...where we had to decide whether to head west to Cameron Corner (where there was massive rainfall predicted) or north toward Cunnamulla.”
“We decided as a group to head north instead because we couldn’t afford to be stuck out at the Corner for a week or two.”
The postie trek received big support from many Lions clubs.
“To my knowledge it is the first charity event that multiple Lions clubs have sponsored and backed,” said Daniel.
All but two of their lunches were provided by a Lions club and the majority of clubs on the route also gave a donation.
At the conclusion of the ride, the riders were welcomed home with a dinner from Hallidays Point Lions Club.
Daniel said there is already discussion of another fundraising ride and he believes it could end up being a biennial event.
He wants to thank the riders, people who donated, the Lions clubs and all the small towns who helped them along the way.
Daniel from Tinonee initiated the ride 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," he said.
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