Snowy Ride

November 19, 2013 By Joe Blow

Snowy Ride and Honda Raffle raise more than $280,000 for childhood cancer research

Another successful Snowy Ride was held on Saturday 2 November 2013 with 3,043 registrations – it’s great to see the 3,000 mark being reached again.

The weekend started out with Big Al’s BBQ on Friday night. 140 guests enjoyed a relaxed evening with interviews from Team Honda Racing Principal Paul Free and ASBK rider Jamie Stauffer. Interviews were followed by an exciting auction raising $14,520 and the night finished with guests being treated to an intimate performance by the Brewster Bros.

The weather on Saturday was magnificent and had riders on the road early with all checkpoints well attended. All communities offered terrific food and entertainment for riders and their pillions – making the event a great experience for all. On Saturday afternoon the Mass Ride left Bullocks Flat at 4.00pm with somewhere between 600-800 riders coming into a huge welcome at Thredbo.

The presentation was opened by Stuart Diver from Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd presenting Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation with a cheque for $10,000.

Of course everyone was waiting for the presentation to see if they were going to pick up a minor prize, of which there were many, and to see if they were one of the lucky ones to win either the Honda VFR800 or the Honda CRF250. Prior to the draw Renee, one of the mum’s from the Snowy Hydro Family Program, gave a very personal account on what it’s like to have a child going through cancer treatment – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Renee was followed by the multi-skilled Professor Glenn Marshall who not only heads up the Oncology unit at Sydney Children’s Hospital, but also cooks a mean BBQ at Snowy Ride.

The draw for both Honda motorcycles followed and the winners were Tim from Canberra and Edwin from the Blue Mts. Both of these guys will be on their new bikes before Christmas.

On Sunday as the majority of bikes rolled out of Thredbo the kids and families from the Family Program were driven to Snowy Hydro’s Discovery Centre in classic cars from the Cooma Monaro Automobile Club where Snowy Hydro presented a cheque to Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation for $100,000.

The Snowy Ride is always a fantastic weekend but it would not work without the help and support of all the volunteers who not only work on this event, but support the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation throughout the year. They’re a great bunch of people that we love and we thank each and every one of them for their continued support. Thanks also to you, the riders, pillions and supporters for your continued attendance and support as we continue to work towards our goal of 100% Survival for all Children with Cancer!!!

Allan McGuirk
Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation
For inquires please Contact Us

November 12, 2013 By Joe Blow

2013 Honda Snowy Ride Raises More Than $300,000 for a Cure for Childhood Cancer

Press Release From Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation:

The Snowy Mountains rumbled on Saturday 2 November 2013 as more than 3000 motorcycles rolled into the region for the 13^th annual Honda Snowy Ride, raising money for the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation (SWCCF) to fund research into a cure for childhood cancer.

The Honda Snowy Ride is held on the first Saturday in November each year with motorcyclists spending a day riding the picturesque Alpine roads. Despite a blustery start to the day, the event finished with perfect conditions making for a fantastic day of riding and raised in excess of $300,000.

During the event riders from all over Australia toured the Snowy Mountains visiting Adaminaby, Dalgety, Berridale, Jindabyne, Cooma, Bombala, Charlotte Pass and Thredbo. The day then culminated in a Police-escorted mass ride of 800 motorcyclists along the Alpine Way to Thredbo for a presentation and finishing with a concert in the evening at the Village Square by the Brewster Bros.

Honda motorcycles has been the major sponsor for the event since inception and this year donated two motorcycles as prizes for the ride – a Honda VFR800F and a Honda CRF 250X. All entrants are automatically entered in the draw to win.

During the event, Honda offered test rides on a fleet of motorcycles that included a Goldwing F6B, the adventure touring VFR1200X and the new CBR500R – and as always the test rides were hot tickets.

Over the last 11 years SWCCF has also organised the family program where a number of oncology families are invited for a relaxing, fun-filled weekend and a break from the hospital routine. A childhood cancer diagnosis not only affects the child but puts an enormous strain on the entire family.

“We hosted seven families this year and they have had a ball with helicopter rides courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy, motorcycle rides thanks to the Australian Goldwing Association, chairlift and toboggan rides and plenty of great activities. The families are cared for by a group of volunteers and the program is sponsored by Snowy Hydro,” said Sue Walter, Director of SWCCF.

“We also extend our thanks to Kosciusko Thredbo for a $10,000 donation and $100,000 from Snowy Hydro. Outside of the ski season, the Snowy Ride is the biggest event in the Snowy Mountains region and each year we are just amazed by the generosity of the motorcycle riders and pillions that come along to support the event and give it such a great atmosphere.

Earlier this year SWCCF hosted its second Around Australia Ride which saw 23 riders and support crew travel more than 15,000kms around the country and raise more than $225,000. Expressions of interest are currently being sought for another Around Australia Ride in 2015.

“We’re driven by the thought that each week three children lose their lives to cancer, so we’ve made it our mission to ensure that every child with cancer can one day be guaranteed a future and an improved quality of life,” Sue said.

November 26, 2012 By Steven Walter Foundation