Narrabri’s Jack Warnock is among hundreds of people from across the country set to compete in a 700 kilometre relay mountain bike event which aims to raise community awareness and money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Teams of two to six riders will ride from the deep port Kimberley town of Derby along the iconic Gibb River Road to the world acclaimed million acres El Questro Wilderness Park over a five day period.
Jack’s team will consist of three friends whom he met on the first course of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) in 1993. The two other team members are from Course 8 and Course 10.
The team has been named the George Gardiner Memorial Team after one of the graduates of the first leadership program.
“Dr George Gardiner was from the Kimberley, a prominent leader and significant player in the development of the Ord River Irrigation Area and was a member of the board of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation from 2000 to 2004,” said Jack.
“He was one of our colleagues from the first course.”
The ARLP is a not-for-profit organisation that provides high quality leadership programs to ensure rural Australia has a vibrant, resilient future.
There are now some 600 graduates spread across regional Australia, including many in our region.
While the team will be taking turns riding mountain bikes over the 700 kilometre course, Jack will help as one of the support drivers.
“Two hundred teams applied to be involved, 80 teams were selected and ours was one of those 80,” said Jack.
“Part of the conditions of being
selected is a contribution of $1000 per team member to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
The Gibb Challenge hopes to raise $500,000 for the service.
Once $1000 has been reached by each member, teams are entitled to raise funds for their own chosen charity.
Jack’s team will be raising money for Motor Neurone Disease research, the illness which claimed the life of Dr Gardiner in 2004.
For Jack, his motivation to raise money for the cause is even
greater.
“I have a good friend, Graham Yeo of Tamworth, who retired two years ago. He was the northern regional manager for Rabobank Australia, a lot of people around here would know him,” said Jack.
“Soon after his retirement he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, so that, combined with the friendship of George Gardiner and knowing about his battle with the disease, was all the inspiration that I needed to put my hand up to go as a support driver with our own vehicle.”
Jack has been busily fundraising for the charity, with the promise of display of company logos on the support vehicle for significant donors.
Through the generous support of local businesses, family and friends Jack has raised more than $9000 so far for both Motor Neurone Disease research and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, but he says there is plenty of space left on the vehicle for others who wish to donate to the cause.
“I’ve received donations from as little as $10, they all help the cause,” said Jack.
His team consists of Norm McAllister (Deniliquin), Wesley Hazell (Tasmania), John Elliott (Perth), Vince O’Donnell (Canberra) and Stephen Tapsall.
“Stephen is from Brisbane but he works for Santos so he visits Narrabri regularly,” said
Jack.
The event begins in Derby on May 18, with two team members riding
at any one time.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the team should contact Jack on 0427 944 800 or jackwarnock@bigpond.com.