On your bike: Cycling fundraiser huge success
Module Overview
Good mates Bruce Cotterill and Paul Muir were so inspired cycling the length of New Zealand and raising more than $200,000 for their Bike for Blokes fundraiser, they’ve decided to do it again next year.
The pair cycled from Cape Reinga to Bluff covering 2,600km in three and a half weeks to raise awareness and funds for two charities that support men’s health – Farmstrong and the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry
Their incredible fundraising effort resulted in the two charities receiving $100,000 each.
Bruce, who is an author, company director and advisor to business leaders, says he and Paul wanted to do something proactive to support men’s health.
“We’d both recently had family members and close friends affected by mental health issues and prostate cancer so in lockdown last year we were feeling a bit flat and hatched a plan to get on our bikes and raise awareness and funds for these causes,” Bruce says.
“We researched some charities and are delighted with the two we chose and to be able to help do something for Kiwi blokes.”
Bruce says Farmstrong appealed as a charity because of the incredible work they do to support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and growers.
“What I love about farmers is they keep standing up, pressing on and helping the country economically. I really admire their resilience and love the fact there’s an organisation like Farmstrong to help them when they need it.”
Incredible support around the country
The keen cyclists, who are both 60, set off on their fundraising ride on 21 February 2022 and were blown away by the support they received from the top to the bottom of the country.
“We got so much support from so many quarters, across the board. There were so many generous kiwis who came forward and supported us through donations, encouragement and kind actions. Every little bit made a difference.”
The most challenging part of the journey was facing brutal headwinds on three of the days. But the flip side was they didn’t encounter a drop of rain and only suffered one flat tyre on the whole trip. And their bodies held out.
“Covering the country on a bike, you’re at a pace where you have time to see so much more and have all sorts of conversations with different people, so that was really special,” Bruce says.
“The South Island scenery is so stunning and when we rode into Bluff on that final day, it was the most spectacular, sunny day. It was such an incredible feeling.”
Despite all the highlights on the road, it was hard to top the feeling of being able to hand the cheques over to their chosen charities.
“We were delighted to be able to make a contribution to support two great causes.”
Get involved in 2023’s fundraiser
The pair are already planning next year’s trip in 2023, which will be a different route and they will be bringing a few more cycling buddies on board to join the core team.
“We just can’t wait to do it again next year and help our two charities out again. We’re also planning on expanding our riding group a bit and raising money for a few other men’s charities as well.”
Their overall goal is for Bike for Blokes to raise $1 million over four years.
“It’s been really buoying for us to have such a great reaction and that’s why we want to keep going and keep raising money and awareness for men’s health.”
If you’d like to get involved, join the ride or contribute in some way to the next Bike for Blokes fundraising effort in 2023, visit www.bikeforblokes.co.nz or email Bruce’s wife Rose at rose@speaker.co.nz.
