NHP is proud to be the naming rights sponsor for the 2020 Cycle 4 Change. This year’s event takes place in the Yarra Valley from March 19-22.
Thirty riders traverse over 470km including tackling nearly 10km of climbing over the four-day event. Each rider has a fundraising goal of at least $2,500, however the total goal for this year’s event is $160,000.
All money raised goes to Southern Cross Kids’ Camps (SCKC), a not-for-profit organisation that puts on camps for children across the country that come from a background of neglect and abuse that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to do something like attend a camp.
Several NHP employees are again participating in the event this year. We recently spoke to Justin Charlot, Application Engineering Manager based at our Richmond head office about the event.
Have you participated in the event before?
I have participated in the previous two years in the Cycle 4 Change (C4C) fundraising cycling event, going for number three. The first year NHP became involved in the C4C charity ride, was a four-day ride in Tasmania based out of Launceston and this experience really changed what I thought was possible, both from a fundraising point of view but also from a ride/challenge. I trained more than I ever had on the bike in preparation and riding up Ben Lomond was an experience I won’t forget.
Adelaide Hills was an awesome experience, and tougher overall in my opinion compared to the Tassie ride the year before with longer and steeper hills. Personally, I am grateful for the experience and have taken so much from the opportunity, both in respect to helping a worthy cause and accomplishing a tough cycling challenge.
How have you approached your training?
I trained hard for the first year, riding past 100km’s for the first time and riding with colleagues over the weekends through various areas I had never cycled through before, ensuring to include a lot of hill climbing.
At the moment I cover around 150-200km’s per week on the bike on average along with swimming and running for triathlon training – though this doesn’t help much with climbing hills.
What prompted you to sign up to participate?
Getting involved in a charity focused on helping kids and the cycling challenge. It’s now become a highlight in the calendar to look forward to!
Do you have a personal connection or affiliation to the cause or charity?
No, though I have got to know organisers of the ride and those involved at Southern Cross Kids Camps and they are a great group!
Are you looking forward to the event or is it all about the fundraising/end goal?
I’m looking forward to the event! It’s going to be tougher again this year with an additional 3km’s of elevation, a big increase in climbing, across the four-days. It will be the toughest year yet.
How much money do you think you can raise this year?
I’m targeting $2,500 and really appreciate all the support from family, friends and colleagues to achieve this total.
What’s the best story you’ve heard about the work Southern Cross Kids Camps do?
One of the moments I took away from Adelaide last year was the story Peter (SCKC General Manager) mentioned about one of the kids from a camp receiving his first toothbrush. It really hits home hearing some stories of the kids who attend the camps and spending a week away in the fun environment provided by SCKC can only be a good thing. We take a lot of things for granted.
You can donate to Justin’s Cycle 4 Change fundraising campaign here.