The desire to raise funds for others comes from many different sources and for Gloucester’s Phil Maslen, it was his bucket list.
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So he’s taking on the annual Variety Postie Bike Dash.
He said the clincher was the ride’s slogan, which he recites with pride.
“A wicked sense of humor and a liking to dust and discomfort.”
Something he said describes him perfectly.
It’s also a way to combine his love of riding with helping sick, disadvantaged and special needs children through Variety – the Children’s Charity.
So, for his 60th birthday, he’s enlisted the companionship of his brother, Chris to join him on the ride.
Each rider needs to raise a minimum of $2000 to take part, something Phil did by knocking on the doors of local business, which he’ll proudly display on the milk crate attached to the back of his Honda CT110 Postie Bike.
The dash is a six day charity ride kicking off from Tamworth on Sunday, November 4.
The event goes off the beaten track, travelling through the bush and countryside, stopping at rural towns and schools along the way.
“We travel from Tamworth to Glen Innes on 300 kilometres of dirt on day one,” he said.
After Glen Innes, the group will make their way to the coast at Coffs Harbour. Tuesday will bring them south to Kempsey, before continuing to Taree on Wednesday. Thursday they’ll journey to Walcha before returning to Tamworth on Friday, November 9.
Joining Phil and Chris on the ride is Gloucester’s Jamie Wilson. Jamie’s taking part in the dash to give something back to the wider community and help children in need in a way that his son, Billy would have loved so much, by riding.
Phil also loves to ride, getting out on one of his motorbikes every day. He’s been a member of the Gloucester Ulysses Club for almost 20 years, taking up membership when at the joining age of 40.
Phil has raised $2100, while Jamie’s total is getting close to $6200 (as of October 29).
Donations can be accepted during the event and can be done through https://2018varietypostiedash.everydayhero.com/au/jamie-and-don-s-postie-bike-dash-for-variety-children-s-char
Funds raised help provide practical equipment and experiences to sick, disadvantaged and special needs kids. Variety’s work allows children to gain mobility and freedom, to get out and about in the community, be able to communicate, enhance their education, achieve independence and increase self-esteem, and where possible the assistance to help them integrate into mainstream school and activities.