A global pandemic won't be enough to stop dedicated Club Taree staff from raising much needed funds for sick and injured children.
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The Club Taree Community Team will begin the sixth annual le Tour de Taree on Saturday, August 29 for Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW.
Club Taree communications and brand manager Paul Allan said the COVID-19 "edition" of the tour will see about 40 participants ride exercise bikes in the club in a bid to collectively ride the length of le Tour de France (3470 km).
"This year is a bit different. The team is eager to ride and eager to raise funds for those sick and injured children who are unfortunately getting sick and injured, even though there's a pandemic around the country and the world," Mr Allan said.
A trivia night will be held at the club on Friday, August 28 to launch the event. Dressed as a 'special guest' on the night, volunteer Bob Coombes will officially begin the cycling portion of the fundraiser by riding the first 20km.
For those looking for new kitchen accessories, a Tupperware party will be held on Saturday, September 19. Entry is free but attendees must RSVP beforehand. Other fundraising opportunities include a My Cause page, rider sponsorship, chocolate sale and wine and pie drives.
The tour was originally cancelled due to the unknown factors of the pandemic.
With le Tour de France back on the agenda, it was decided to delay the fundraiser instead.
The riding task wasn't a challenge for the team in 2019 where they finished the distance in under one week.
They pushed ahead and finished with an astonishing 10,218km. To date, the annual event has raised more than $140,000.
"This year we are going to do what we can to increase those funds," Mr Allan said.
The tour will finish on Sunday, September 20.
"It was an amazing feat for the team, one which we are very proud of and rewards the team for the hard efforts they've made over the past five years," Mr Allan said.
The team is now in contention for the State award.
