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The Ride for Hope has returned the shores of Singapore once again! This premier one day [24 hours] island wide multi-disciplinary super-ultramarathon event attracted more then 300 participants and is an extremely strenuous event finished only by the most determined.
Ride for Hope 2005 aims to raise funds in aid of The Senior Citizens' Hardship Fund. The fund assists needy elderly suffering from stroke and frailty, and to enhance the quality of their lives.
Ride for Hope 2005 is in support of Toa Payoh and Geylang Senior Citizens' Health Care Centres. These health care centres are not-for-profit charitable organizations, currently serving about 70 stroke patients and frail elderly daily and have served more than 1,000 needy patients and elderly since 2002. The centres have recently in May 2004 started its 365-day rehabilitation services that include weekends and public holidays.
The centres' operating expenditure are supported mainly by public donations and through fundraising efforts. It costs about S$75 a day to upkeep a patient. Apart from government subsidy for patients under the means testing scheme and nominal day care cum rehabilitation charges of $14 per day/per patient, the centres will still need to raise $50 per patient per day to cover the treatment cost. In other words, the centres will need to raise over S$1 million every year to achieve its mission of providing care to the sick and needy elderly.
Dr William Tan has lead this fund-raising effort through a super-ultramarathon; 300km over 24 hours (6pm-6pm), together with a supporting group of cyclists.
Bikers@Republic (“B@R”) is proud to be a part of this event by participating and supporting Dr William Tan through this marathon. As a cycling IG, B@R not only concentrates on developing the technical skills of its members and, growing and nurturing the local biking community in Singapore but is also being an active advocate for fund raising projects.
6th May 2005
On Friday, B@R met up in school after the CCA fair to prepare themselves and their bikes for the event on the following day. Despite the fact that they were already drained of energy by the fair earlier, a bike survey was done and welfare of other riders were taken care of to ensure that the super-ultramarathon event would progress smoothly over the biking distance.
7th & 8th 2004
Saturday arrived and members of B@R consisting of Jonathan Wee, Cheng Yifeng, Roy, Chong Jian Chang, Norman, Darren and Alvin met up in Republic Polytechnic at 11am with some barely more then 7 hours of sleep from the preparation last night. Proudly donned in RP sponsored jerseys, B@R and her external affiliates formed up into a formation and rode to the marathon site, Planet Fitness Far East Square, located off China Street. Tasked with the responsibility to help and support, B@R paced behind Dr William Tan encouraging him and supporting the through the event while; maintaining the struggle to fight against time and strict event rules, as the rain shower/sun scorch mercilessly on the organizers and participants. Over the course of executing their duties, B@R experienced 1st hand how to strategize and power themselves on in the marathon, fuelled only by sheer grit and determination at times as earlier checkpoints sapped their energy and morale away.
It was almost ground zero on their energy level that they realize they were 10 minutes away from their long awaited destination. Zombies were alive and blinds [half asleep] opened their eyes, showered with genuine accomplishment and determination B@R and other participants charged they final blow ahead. It wasn’t long before they flooding the lane of China Street once again this time with not more then the sense satisfaction and tore down faces. Photo.Republic together with external media coverage personals all lock and ready at their distinct locations, the school of enthusiastic cyclist rode into the finishing line with the remains of B@R still supporting right behind Dr William Tan.
Overall ride summery: Started with over 300 ended with less then 10[abt8] FULL route riders.
Pulling their last smile, B@R together with VIPs / Dr William Tan accompanied with their Pride and Glory they held the flag of Republic Polytechnic, where the last moments of B@R was ended with an exposure by Photo.Republic.
Though B@R was involved for only as participants this time round, a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment came upon members of B@R knowing that every bit of their efforts helped make this fund raising event a success one regardless of distance completed, and with various learning points taken home, it was indeed a rewarding trip.
Ride Summery:
Completed 300km[phase1]:
Jonathan Wee
Cheng Yifeng
Completed 150km[phase2]:
Roy Wan
Chong Jian Chang
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