Riding 300 kilometres in a single day is no mean feat, but it is a challenge that two men are keen to conquer – all in the name of supporting the police family for the 2020 Remembrance Bicycle Ride.
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Corporate Services, Mal Lanyon, and Police Bank Deputy Chair, Raff Del Vecchio, will be hopping on their bikes and buckling up their helmets in support of the 8th annual Remembrance Bicycle Ride supporting NSW Police Legacy.
Each year, hundreds of participants commit to riding the 300km from Sydney to Canberra, however, COVID-19 has meant a few changes to this year's event.
In a first for NSW Police Legacy, the official event will be held on Sunday 15 November 2020 and will be a virtual, COVID-safe event. Participants are invited to set their own challenge – whether that is a small group ride, or an individual goal – and raise money for legatees.
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon, who is also an event Ambassador, will kick off the fundraising today (Friday 13 November 2020), setting a tall personal challenge – attempting to ride the usual distance travelled across three days in one day. Mr Del Vecchio has agreed to join him, and together, they will travel a combined 600km, with a fundraising goal of $10,000.
"I have never attempted to ride 300kms in a single day before, so I'm looking forward to the challenge. It has been a tough year for so many people, and this ride is one way we can hope to make a difference and raise money for our police family," said Deputy Commissioner Lanyon.
Both Mr Lanyon and Mr Del Vecchio will begin their fundraising ride at the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance in The Domain at 6am, travelling around Centennial Park and out to Kurnell, before turning to the city.
Chair of NSW Police Legacy, Detective Superintendent Gary Merryweather, said he is glad the event is still going ahead after being postponed earlier this year.
"We rely on police fundraising events, which have obviously been restricted this year, so to be able to go ahead with the ride – albeit a little different this year – means we can continue to look after police families," said Detective Superintendent Merryweather.
"The ride is for everybody, with the ability to set your own challenge and your own pace. Whether riding around the neighbourhood, or committing to a longer track, any effort makes a huge impact."
For more information or to register for the 2020 Remembrance Bicycle Ride please visit: https://portal.policelegacynsw.org.au/events/6/2020-remembrance-bicycle-ride
If you would like to donate to Deputy Commissioner Lanyon's challenge, please visit: https://portal.policelegacynsw.org.au/my-fundraising/70/300ks-in-a-day-for-the-family
About NSW Police Legacy
NSW Police Legacy is a strong and compassionate 'profit for purpose' organisation providing services to police legatees and members of the wider police family across the State. Today, Police Legacy enhances the lives of approximately 1,200 police legatees by providing professional and compassionate support to the families who have suffered a loss through the provision of meaningful benefits, services and advocacy.
We envision a caring, inclusive and supportive police family where no partner or child of a deceased or former serving officer will ever feel forgotten or in need.
NSW Police Legacy was established as an Association in 1987 to care for the police family. We became incorporated in 1991 and for more than 30 years we have been providing both financial assistance and compassionate support to our police families. We take pride in being an inclusive organisation. Regardless of whether a police officer was serving or retired, or the circumstances of their death, our obligation is to those left behind - our Police Legatees.
