Cyclists see ‘silver lining’ in cancer cause

RIDING ALMOST 1,000KM FOR A CAUSE … From left, Shepparton’s Bendigo Bank business banking relationship manager, Jay Nash, Silver Lining Ride participants, Justin Flynn, Emma Cohen, Lissa Marshall, Georgina Wright, Thomas Sorensen, Georgie Herbert, Clint Stanaway, Jake Leslie, Lachlan Spark, Murray Hamblin, Dylan Wissell and Daniel Dell and Bendigo Bank customer service officer, Tahlitha Samkakai. Photo: David Lee.
RIDING ALMOST 1,000KM FOR A CAUSE … From left, Shepparton’s Bendigo Bank business banking relationship manager, Jay Nash, Silver Lining Ride participants, Justin Flynn, Emma Cohen, Lissa Marshall, Georgina Wright, Thomas Sorensen, Georgie Herbert, Clint Stanaway, Jake Leslie, Lachlan Spark, Murray Hamblin, Dylan Wissell and Daniel Dell and Bendigo Bank customer service officer, Tahlitha Samkakai. Photo: David Lee.
RIDING ALMOST 1,000KM FOR A CAUSE … From left, Shepparton’s Bendigo Bank business banking relationship manager, Jay Nash, Silver Lining Ride participants, Justin Flynn, Emma Cohen, Lissa Marshall, Georgina Wright, Thomas Sorensen, Georgie Herbert, Clint Stanaway, Jake Leslie, Lachlan Spark, Murray Hamblin, Dylan Wissell and Daniel Dell and Bendigo Bank customer service officer, Tahlitha Samkakai. Photo: David Lee.
RIDING ALMOST 1,000KM FOR A CAUSE … From left, Shepparton’s Bendigo Bank business banking relationship manager, Jay Nash, Silver Lining Ride participants, Justin Flynn, Emma Cohen, Lissa Marshall, Georgina Wright, Thomas Sorensen, Georgie Herbert, Clint Stanaway, Jake Leslie, Lachlan Spark, Murray Hamblin, Dylan Wissell and Daniel Dell and Bendigo Bank customer service officer, Tahlitha Samkakai. Photo: David Lee.

TWELVE inspirational cyclists are riding from Canberra to Melbourne to raise money for ovarian cancer as part of the Silver Lining Ride.

Emotions were running high when we caught up with the riders during their pit-stop at Bendigo Bank Shepparton branch. Sweaty and exhausted, but beaming with enthusiastic excitement, the riders had just completed their longest ride of the trip, an incredible 172.2km journey from Albury to Shepparton (which they accomplished in just six hours!).

Bendigo Bank is a major sponsor of the almost 1,000km trip and the team at the Shepparton branch (and others along the way) rattled tins and accepted community donations for the cause.

Many of the riders have known people affected by cancer and their incredible journey, ‘from the capital of the country to the capital of coffee,’ is dedicated to all those who have been touched by the disease. In particular, this year accomplished rider, Justin Flynn joined the team and was riding for his wife Leone, who is currently battling ovarian cancer.

Following from their stop at Shepparton, the dedicated dozen stopped over at Bendigo, then Romsey, before finally zooming to Melbourne and arriving at their final stop at the MCG where family and friends were waiting to congratulate the group on their enormous effort.

When asked what else was in store for them when they arrived at their final destination, rider and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation ambassador, Clint Stanaway chuckled and said, “Hopefully a beer and a bath.”