Riders in the 2025 District 201V3 Lions Ride for Sight have raised over $100,000 to support CERA's research towards new ways to prevent vision loss.
CERA Managing Director Professor Keith Martin said he was grateful for the generosity of riders, support crew, community members, local Lions clubs in the Gippsland region that hosted the riders' breakfasts, lunches and dinner, and the organising committee.
"Without their ongoing support, effort and passion for raising money to support eye research, none of this would have been possible,'' he said.
Now in its 31st year, the 2025 District 201V3 Lions Ride for Sight is a four-day bike ride in the Gippsland region of Victoria; with all monies raised supporting CERA's efforts to turn research into real world treatments for people affected by vision loss.
CERA's Executive Manager Communications, Fundraising and Advocacy Janine Sim-Jones said the CERA team had enjoyed meeting hundreds of Lions members from around Australia at the Multi-District Convention in Traralgon, which was held at the same time as the ride.
"Lions clubs and CERA have a shared commitment to eye research and health,'' she said.
"Ride for Sight is a highlight in our annual calendar. To again be the recipient of such generous support is a reminder of the collective power of people who want to make a difference in the lives of those with vision loss and blindness.
"Special thanks to Chairman Ian de Bruyne, who has been part of every Ride for Sight since 1994, and Team Sisters - Sharon Oates, Kerry Fitzgerald and Leesa Willmott - whose efforts are set to contribute over $40,0000 to the total this year.
"We are also very proud of our Head of Genetic Engineering Research, Associate Professor Rick Liu who joined two days of the ride."
Since 1994, the local District 201V3 Lions Ride for Sight has raised over $1.2 million for CERA.
