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A sea of pink lit up local highways on October 19 as more than 100 motorbike riders kicked into high gear for the Northland Pink Ribbon Ride, raising more than $10,000 for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
Organised by local motorcycle group, Kaipara Lady Riders 1-Down 5-Up (KLR), the annual roadie fundraiser attracted riders of all types of bikes and ages, with the youngest only 16 and the oldest a daring 78-year-old.
Raising $10,411.97 from ride registration fees, merchandise such as Pink Ribbon Ride t-shirts and patches, to raffles and auctions, KLR founder Teresa Woolley says the group is “over the moon” by the response.
“We were hoping to crack the $10K mark but knew people were struggling this year, so this is a fantastic result,” she says. “It just shows that breast cancer really does touch the heart and soul of every New Zealander.”
Riders started from outside Whangarei sponsor, Wynn Fraser Paints on Okara Drive, before cruising south to a refreshment pit-stop at Kaiwaka’s Three Furlongs tavern, which opened early to welcome the convoy. The ride then continued along SH16 to their final destination, The Original Kaipara Tavern in Helensville – which Woolley affectionately dubs as KLR’s unofficial home – for live music, food and a whole lot of fun.
She credits a long list of sponsors, helpers and supporters from Northland and Auckland for the success of the event, including family and friends who donated items for raffles and the auction.
“The Kaipara Lady Riders thank everyone involved, however big or small your role was, it was noticed and we couldn’t have done it with out you,” she says. “Special thanks to those who have said they will support us again next year – you are all amazing! The biker community once again showed that we are a pretty great bunch of people, with big hearts.”
