Address details


Down Syndrome NSW
Level 6/410 Church St, North Parramatta
9am-5pm Monday - Thursday
T: 9841 444


Monday 31 March 2014

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2014: Nymboida, here they come!



The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is a call to all motorcycle collectors and madcap enthusiasts from around the country to join an extraordinary Aussie adventure and raise much needed funds for kids with Down syndrome.
The challenge for hardcore scrappers is to buy a bike for no more than $1000 and fix it up for an adventure ride through the outback. All motorcyclists are welcome and the ride usually gets a great turnout of classic bikes and sidecar rigs as well.
Over the last four years, the ride has raised in excess of $220,000 for Down Syndrome NSW.
The destination for the fifth Scrapheap Adventure Ride is Nymboida Canoe Centre, located 40km south of Grafton where riders and non-riders can stay and camp on the weekend of 19 - 21 September, 2014. 
Nymboida is a rural village in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales and is popular for white water rafting. The Nymboida Canoe Centre is situated on the banks of Goolang Creek and the camping ground has 50 acres with cabins and camping facilities. 
There will be plenty of fun for riders and their families over the weekend with activities and ride outs as well as a charity auction.
Down Syndrome NSW Executive Director Tracylee Arestides is delighted to once again be involved with the Scrapheap Adventure Ride.
‘Welcoming a new baby with Down syndrome into the family can be a challenging as well as joyful time,’ says Ms Arestides. ‘With the funds raised by Scrapheap last year our parent support team was able to be there for new families all across the state with information, support and practical advice from birth to starting school.’
In past years sponsors have supported a ride from Sydney to the event destination but most riders choose to begin their journey nearer to home. Individuals or teams can register and raise funds and awareness for Down Syndrome NSW through the www.scrapheapadventureride.com.au website.
The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is the brainchild of Perry Gilsenan, a dad who has had more than his fair share of setbacks but exemplifies making the best of the challenges life throws at us.
Perry lost both of his legs in a train accident in 1976 and shattered his spine and fractured fourteen ribs in a horrific car accident in 1988.
Perry’s story, and the story of the Scrapheap Adventure Ride, was told on the the Nine Network’s Kerri-Anne program, which can be seen online here.
Despite these hardships Perry was inspired to show his young daughter Grace, who has Down syndrome, that no disability can stop you from enjoying a life without limitations.
Last year’s ride involved over 50 riders and raised over $60,000. In 2014, Perry and the ‘Scrappers’ are hoping to raise even more for this truly great cause.
To join the ride, donate, sponsor a bike or for more information, go to scrapheapadventureride.com.au or contact Perry Gilsenan at info@scrapheapadventureride.com.au.



Media follow-up:
High-resolution images can be downloaded here.
Media Contact: Joel Smith, CDMedia
Email: joel@cdmedia.net.au Phone: 03 9583 8377

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