32 Wednesday November 11, 2015 NEWS

More than 2700 riders in Snowy Ride 2015

Nick Chapman

The 15th annual Honda Snowy Ride took place on Saturday November 7 and has been hailed as a success by police and organisers.

The ride is organised to help raise funds for the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation, this year raising almost $250,000.

The event attracted an estimated 2700 riders and pillions, travelling through the Snowy Mountains and convening in Thredbo on Saturday night.

Steven Walter, who was an avid motorcycle fan, passed away at age 19 after an eight-year battle with cancer. Before he died, he asked his friends and family to do what they could to raise money for childhood cancer. They came up with the idea for the Snowy Ride and

have since raised close to six million dollars over 15 years and attracted thousands of riders to the area.

“Fifteen years on from Steve’s passing and the Snowy Ride is still attracting riders from all walks of life to contribute to our vital cause. I think Steve would be so proud of what is being achieved in his memory,” said Sue Walter, Director of the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation.

The foundation also assists families of a child suffering from cancer by hosting them in Thredbo and offering them a small break from their regular routine.

“We hosted six families this year and they’ve had a ball with helicopter rides courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy, motorcycle rides thanks to the Australian Goldwing Association and plenty of other great

activities. The families are cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers and the program is generously sponsored by Snowy Hydro.” Sue said.

Aside from raising money for the charity, visitors for the Snowy Ride inject a healthy amount of money in to the local economy, as it is the biggest event in the Snowy Mountains region outside of the ski season.

Monaro police are considering the event a success, issuing a press release thanking the public and everyone involved in the 2015 Snowy Ride.

“A high[ly] visible police presence in the Alpine area over the weekend enabled a safe journey for most riders, and police thank the vast majority of riders and the local community for sharing the road safely and adhering to the road rules,” the release said.

Cooma Car Club members helped pick up and drive children involved in the ride at Thredbo. The scene in Sharp Street, Cooma, on Friday afternoon.

Left: Mery Raynor of Candelo and Bill Guthrie of Delegate shared in the companionship of the Snowy Ride. Middle: The busy check-in in Centennial Park on Friday,Right: Bombala riders, Rudi Wertenbach, Eric Edgecombe, Pat Lomas, Merv Raynor (Candelo) and Darren Cotterill took part in Saturday’s Snowy Ride.

The Cooma Motor Fest was another busy check-in point on Saturday. A welcome cheque for $10,000 to the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation from Thredbo. Below: bikers in Thredbo.