GILLESPIE PARTICIPATES IN POLLIE PEDAL

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie is again participating in the Annual Pollie Pedal Charity Cycling Event.

This year, Pollie Pedal will be supporting Soldier On – a national charitable organisation that supports more than 5,000 veterans and their family members through their Health and Wellbeing services, Employment Support, Learning and Education Programs, as well as Participation and Social Connection activities.

Since 1998, Pollie Pedal has ridden over 20,000 kilometres and raised more than $6 million for organisations such as Carers Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Ronald McDonald House, Youth Insearch and the Paralympic Games.

Pollie Pedal has also supported medical research into childhood leukaemia, diabetes, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Now in its 23rd year, the 2022 Pollie Pedal began in Canberra on Monday and will travel over 1,000km through regional towns in South-West New South Wales before arriving back in Canberra on Tuesday next week.

While raising money for charity, the event always provided smaller Australian communities the opportunity to meet members of Parliament.

Those participating in the charity bike ride include current and former politicians, corporate supporters and several keen cyclists who have been involved in the organisation of the event since its inception.

Dr Gillespie who is a regular cyclist and has participated in more than a dozen Pollie Pedal events, said the ride would be gruelling but it was all for very good cause.

“It’s always a tough ride both physically and mentally. The ride for Pollie Pedal is a lot longer than my normal rides in the electorate and in Canberra, but I enjoy it and keeps me fit.

“Soldier On is great organisation that has done some really amazing work with our veterans connecting them back into the community after their service where they continue to tackle what has been described as both the seen and unseen scars of war.”

Veterans joining the ride will have the chance to share their experiences, with fellow riders and with members of the community.