Pedal power helps fight poverty

Gary Hudson will ride his bike from Brisbane to Canberra in the name of charity.

Sarah Harvey

ALLEVIATING poverty is a noble cause, and Ipswich radiographer Gary Hudson will put much effort into that cause when he joins the Break the Cycle event in September.

The fundraiser challenges cyclists to ride from Brisbane to Canberra – a distance of 1640kms – in the timeframe from September 26 to October 10.

Children living in extreme poverty in southern Africa will benefit from the ride.

Mr Hudson, who works at Riverlink's Exact Radiology, has never tackled such a distance.

“The longest I've ridden is 150kms in a day,” he said.

“This'll be challenging, but I think it was the challenge of the ride that sparked my interest.

Along their journey the Break the Cycle riders collect handprints on a banner which they will present as a petition to Parliament House.

Mr Hudson said the banners would urge the Federal Government to honour its commitment to halve world poverty by 2015.

Ipswich residents can add their handprints at Riverlink early in September.

The cyclists hope to raise $200,000 for a Zambian school.

“They expect each participant to raise $3000. I've had a few financial hiccups, but I'll be right,” Mr Hudson said.

To find out about Break the Cycle, go to www.breakthecycle.org.au.

Anyone keen to help Mr Hudson with cash or raffle vouchers, call Exact Radiology on 1300 699 729.