He’s best known for leading teams to grand final glory but Marrar premiership coach Shane Lenon will challenge himself with a ride of a different kind next year.
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Lockhart cyclist John Fox and Lenon will be part of a group of cyclists that ride from Ungarie to Melbourne in the name of charity.
Fox is the mastermind behind the Pedalcure 4 MND, a ride that will raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Neale Daniher is the inspiration behind the idea and all funds will go to his Fight MND campaign.
“There’s a million worthy charities but Neale has always been an inspiration to me,” Fox explained.
“His fighting spirit, I guess, he’s just inspirational. I’ve always had an affection for the Danihers throughout their playing careers, a bit of a soft spot, so this sort of fitted what we were doing. It’s a great cause.
“To target, and hopefully come up with a cause and a cure, it would be nice to know in five years that we had something to do with it, and hopefully they can. Obviously the sooner the better.”
The ride will begin in Ungarie on March 11 and finish in Melbourne, hopefully at the MCG, on March 18.
It will cover about 700 kilometres and stop off at Ariah Park, Coolamon, Lockhart, Corowa, Benalla, Seymour and Kilmore along the way.
Lenon loves a challenge and did not hesitate in jumping on board.
“We’ve got an opportunity, we can do it. Other people can’t. We can make a difference so why not do it?” Lenon said.
“If you can help someone out by doing something, which is what we’re doing, it’s a positive thing. We enjoy it and if we can raise awareness and a few dollars, it might make it a bit easier for someone along the way.
“I think the awareness side will be just as big. Stopping at towns along the way and raising awareness. To me, that’s as important as the money you raise.”
Six cyclists have agreed to take part but Pedalcure 4 MND is open to everyone.
“It’s open now for registrations. We would like as many people as possible, it’s not exclusive,” Fox said.
“They can do one leg, or the whole seven days. We’ve got half a dozen people already that have signed up to do the full seven days, and half a dozen support crew as well, which is excellent.
“We’ve only been talking amongst ourselves to get to this point already so once we get a bit of exposure, we hope that will generate some interest with some substance.”
Dorothy Vearing, Neale’s sister and the person behind Fight MND in the Riverina, loves the idea of the ride.
“It’s fantastic, and a different sporting aspect to it with the cycling,” Vearing said.
“The support has been really good, especially in the Riverina, which is really nice.
“Starting off at home and finishing in Melbourne, it will be a lot of fun. The boys have done a great job.”
The ride will camp at football clubs along the way and there is already discussions around a sportsmen’s night in Kilmore, along with some involvement from Shane Crawford.
To donate, visit the Pedalcure 4 MND Go Fund Me page or https://give.everydayhero.com/au/team-pedalcure-fighting-mnd
Anyone interested can contact Fox at pedalcure4mnd@gmail.com or on 0447239216.
Pedalcure 4 MND
March 11: Ungarie to Ariah Park – 107km
March 12: Ariah Park to Coolamon – 56km
March 13: Coolamon to Lockhart – 78km
March 14: Lockhart to Corowa – 102km
March 15: Corowa to Benalla – 101km
March 16: Benalla to Seymour – 101km
March 17: Seymour to Kilmore – 45km
March 18: Kilmore to Melbourne – 70km
