Graphic: Treadlers ride past $750,000 in fundraising for RFDS
An event that started as a one-off ride around Far Western NSW to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) 27 years ago has now raised more than $750,000 to support healthcare in rural and remote Australia.
Every year the Silver City Bush Treadlers, a passionate and committed group of riders from across NSW, meet up in Broken Hill to spend two weeks exploring some of the roughest roads and unique scenery.
Led by the tireless June Files OAM, this year’s ride is a big one. It began from Silverton on Saturday, 22 July and will wind its way to White Cliffs by Sunday, 30 July before the riders take an alternate route back to Broken Hill, arriving on Monday, 7 August. They will have travelled approximately 853 kilometres when they reach the finish line.
Thirty-one riders and 13 support crew are on this year’s ride, with eight first time participants. June said people kept coming back each year for the camaraderie, landscapes and fun nature of the event.
“We know how important it is to support remote communities. Many of us are from towns like Broken Hill and we’re aware how important it is that these communities have access to essential health services,” June said.
The first Silver City Bush Treadlers event was intended as a one-off for June and three companions, a training ride from Broken Hill to White Cliffs, where they raised $1,400 for the RFDS. June mentioned it to friends while competing at an event and was told if she did it again they would join her.
Word spread and she ended up with 46 enthusiastic participants.
In the following 27 years the incredible support from riders and the community has made the event a huge success and one of the longest-running fundraising events for the RFDS.
RFDS South Eastern Section CEO Greg Sam thanked June for her dedication to the RFDS and the people of outback Australia.
“June has been an amazing supporter of the RFDS over the last 27 years and we are so grateful for the contribution she and all of the Treadlers make,” Mr Sam said.
“Each year they challenge themselves on some of the most difficult terrains but they do it with a smile, knowing the difference they make.”
