Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari Underway for 2012

250 brave fundraisers will mount up on 50cc scooters at dawn in Christchurch and ride them 252 kilometers across the snow-covered Southern Alps to arrive in Hokitika around sunset - all in the name of charity.

Funds raised so far: $137,324 (as at Monday 9.30am)
Recipient: The NZ Cancer Society
Website: www.scootersafari.co.nz
Fundraising Total: FundraiseOnine  (This shows all riders individual totals, scroll to bottom to see event total)

The event is not a race or a fun day out. It is designed to be the coldest, longest, hardest, most grueling and uncomfortable test of endurance on a city scooter to raise money and awareness for cancer sufferers. This is our way of showing some hardship and support for what cancer sufferers go through during their treatment. 9-hours of cold and a really sore backside is still nothing compared to it though!
The ride goes ahead in any weather, torrential rain, sleet and snow included, as long as the road remains open, we'll ride it.

From the organisers Jayne and Mike Rattray: "We have been totally blown away by the interest in the event and amount of funds raised for the Cancer Society. We never even imagined that when we came up with this crazy idea in 2009 that it would snow-ball into the huge event that it is today. The idea of riding 50cc scooters over the Southern Alps in wintery conditions seems to capture everyones interest, it's not something you would normally do. And with more than 1-in-3 people affected by Cancer, it's a great cause to support."

Each rider is encouraged to get donations in support of their efforts, via their own personal online fundraising page.

Riding with us this year is:
Mike Pero - Christchurch-based mortgage and real estate entrepreneur
Adam Percival - Presenter on What Now
Blair Newton - Cancer Patient and inspiration for the Scooter Safari (

Star Fundraisers:
Leading the charge is Chris Sutherland who has raised over $20,000 in support of his 4yr old son Lachie who is battling Nueroblastoma cancer.
Tristan Bailey is currently in 2nd place - He is also auctioning his beloved Vespa to the cause which has been signed by the 2012 Crusaders Rugby Team.
For Mike, Adam, Chris and Tristan, this is their first Scooter Safari. Blair was unwell for the first in 2009, but rode with us in 2010 dressed as the Stig. This year he will be taking part as Elvis on his 'Pink Scooter'llic'.

Riders:
There are 250 scooters taking part in the epic journey (the maximum allowable for traffic safety). Riders are coming from all across NZ, and even one from Brisbane, Australia. Registrations were snapped up within 18 days of the website going live, since then we have received over 100 requests to be wait listed.

The Route:
We set-off at 8am from Air New Zealand's No.1 maintenance hangar on Orchard Road, Christchurch. First stop is at Kirwee, then onto Sheffield, up the mighty Porters Pass to Flock Hill, The Bealey Hotel, Arthur's Pass, then down the treacherous Otira Viaduct to Jacksons Tavern, onto Kumara Racecourse then into Hokitika to finish up at the Beachfront Hotel. 

You can view the maps and timetable here on our website. 

Supporters:
We are encouraging a show of road-side supporters to cheer on the riders. The site of 250 scooters all together makes for quite a laugh. And many of them do it in dress-up as well. So it's well worth coming out for a look. We do ask though, that supporters find a safe spot along the road to view the spectacle rather than coming to the scheduled stops as we are very short on parking space - traveling with us will be 250 scooters, plus a further 100 support crews in cars towing trailers. 

You can view the timetable here on our website. 

About the Event…..

The Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari is an endurance ride 252 kilometers from Christchurch to Hokitika to raise funds for the New Zealand Cancer Society.  

Started in 2009 by Jayne & Mike Rattray, the Scooter Safari was born in support of Mikes young friend and colleague at Air NZ Engineering, Blair Newton who was diagnosed with late stage Bowel Cancer at just 32-years of age. To date Blair has been through 4 surgeries and several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. During this time the Cancer Society have been right there supporting him from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. This is our way of giving back to help them continue their amazing work. 

The first ride in 2009 saw 32 riders make the maiden voyage, raising more than $14,000 in donations for the Cancer Society. In 2010, 230+ Scooters conquered the Alps and raised a staggering $126,000. Our aim is to top that this year.

The local Canterbury/West Coast Cancer Society branch have had a particularly rough year with the earthquakes and resulting damage to their office and patient accommodation buildings. They also canceled three major fundraising events, the Charity Ball and two Relay-for-Life challenges. For this reason we are keen to make this years Scooter Safari a big success to help with much needed funding.

Donations can be made at: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/ScooterSafari2012/

Quote from the Cancer Society Chief Executive:

The dramatic and far-reaching events over the last 16 months have required the Cancer Society to rethink and revisit how it delivers many of its services. From the first major Canterbury earthquake on 4 September 2010, followed by the Pike River mining disaster on the West Coast in November, and then to the devastating series of earthquakes under Christchurch city since 22 February 2011, the Cancer Society’s ability to respond to the needs of our community has been severely challenged.
 
The February earthquake caused major structural damage to the Manchester Street Cancer Society Centre, to Davidson House, our patient accommodation facility in Cambridge Terrace, and to our centre in Ashburton. Our services have been delivered from a “make-shift” office in one of our motel bedrooms at Daffodil House since February, with restricted space, telephones and the loss of many resources. In addition, the inevitable cancellation several important fund raisers, including two Relay For Life events and our Annual Charity Ball, coupled with competing pressures for the charity dollar, has put incredible pressure on our financial position. All at a time when our community’s needs for cancer services and support are at their greatest.
 
The 2012 Scooter Safari is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Canterbury and the West Coast to support the Cancer Society with much needed funds to allow it to continue its cancer support, health promotion and research. It is also a wonderful opportunity to create some much needed fun, camaraderie and adventure at a time when hope and happiness is “just the medicine” for our beleaguered communities and, especially so, for those people who are additionally burdened with  cancer.
 
Elizabeth Chesterman - Chief Executive - Cancer Society of New Zealand/Canterbury West Coast Division

ENDS

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