2010 Free Sheree / Bob Gibb Memorial Ride

In 2010 we rode to help FREE SHEREE. 15 yo Sheree was born with a rare pyhsical disability  ”Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congentia”.  A disease that affects the joints of the body causing seizure or limitation of movements.  Sheree has endured 22 operations for corrective surgery and still requires more on-going treatment. Until recently Sheree was confined to a wheel chair and with surgery and treatment to her legs is now able to walk, but she is still heavily reliant on her parents for assistance for day to day exsistence, things you and I normally take for granted.  Now Sheree would like to FREE her arms and become more independent. Sheree’s dream is ” I would like to be normal and do things for myself without the help of other people. I get frustrated with myself and the way people stare at the way I appear. I want to have the use of my arms so I can do things that other normal people can do”. For more detailed information on this disease refer to the Arthrogryposis website www.taag.org.au

Sheree and the Lancefiled Motorcycle Run committee would like to thanks all the 180 riders, who helped to raise $15,000 dollars which was donated directly to Sheree to help her realise her goals in life.  The previous two rides raised nearly $24,000 dollars for children’s cancer research with money being donated to the Cancer Council of Victoria via  Lancefield/ Macedon Ranges Relay for Life. If we add the money raised in 2010 that makes over $38,000 dollars we have raised in three years. What a fantastic ‘Bloody’ effort. We could not do this with out your participation and generous donations. Well done and thank you to all who have participated over the past three years.

In 2010 we made a few changes to make the ride better and safer for all those participating, we organised the ride into three smaller groups instead of one big group. This also offered those with less experience of large group riding or on L or P liecences to also participate, by riding in a group behind the main more experienced under the guidance of more experienced riders.   We changed the Start/Finish venue to the Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve in  Chauncey Street, Lancefield due to the ever increasing numbers we needed to find a larger area that was able to accommodate 300 plus bikes and riders in a safe environment. This area also offered for those wanting to stay the night the opportunity to camp the night at Lancefield Park for free. A spit roast dinner was supplied along with some great bands and prize give aways, not to mention the $500 dollar wheelbarrow raffle.

We also rode in memory of a fellow rider who tragically died as a result of an accident on the 2009 ride. Robert “Bob” Gibb. Bob’s family graciously agreed to us honouring Bob and many of his riding friends particiapted and appreciated the effort to honour him in this small way. More information is available on the links on this website. I’m sure most of us know of someone, family or friend who has been taken from us prematurely as a result of a motorbike accident. Let this be a sober reminder to us all about how fragile life can be and the inherent risk we take each time we ride our motorbikes.

All in all another fantastic days riding for another fantastic cause, well done to all who helped and participated. We will be doing it again in 2011 and hope to see you all again. Cheers LMCR Committe.