Bill and Erica are travelling to Broome: Bill will be cycling and Erica be driving as his support person. They are leaving very shortly and are aiming to make it to Broome, over 4000km away, by June. Whilst on this journey they are raising much needed funds and awareness for Huntington’s NSW ACT.
To donate to Erica and Bill’s Cycle 4 HD please click here.
Q. Why is Bill doing this cycle ride?
Bill’s reason for the trip is to celebrate his 70th, and finish a circumnavigation cycle trip he started 20years ago!
In 2000, when living in the Blue Mountains, Bill cycled down south to Ballarat staying with friends, across to Adelaide to visit more friends, and then over to Western Australia, catching up in Perth with me when I flew over for my annual holidays. From Perth we cycled together up to Kalbari and then I had to return to work. Bill ventured on as far as Broome, but being from Scotland, the heat got to him and the fun of the Olympics called, so he headed home to join all the festivity in Sydney.
Q. Where else has cycling taken you?
This is not the first time Bill and I have been on grand cycling adventures. We have completed three 1500km trips in Europe, cycling from Munich to Berlin, another down to Budapest and up through Poland and a third trip to Berlin, one of the best places in the world to cycle.
I have also completed two international fundraising rides for Community Aid Abroad: one in Vietnam and Cambodia, and another in Sri Lanka.
In addition, along with our friends in Wollongong we have completed multiple, self supported, two week cycling trips around country areas in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
Q. Why have you chosen Huntington’s as your charity?
I became aware of Huntington’s NSW ACT when my dear friend of almost 60years, Lynne, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. Over the last 10 years, I have seen how the disease has impacted on Lynne’s life. Lynne is a very private and independent person, and the slow loss of her independence, such as giving up her car, hit hard. Lynne is well aware of the road ahead. She completed her nursing training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1971, and interestingly most of her work was in Neurosurgery and Neurology, so Lynne has a good understanding of what was ahead. Importantly, Huntington’s NSW ACT has been a great support to Lynne.