The weather was perfect on Saturday for the inaugural Brain Injured Children Trust Pedal and Spokes Family Cycle Ride. It was a fun-packed time with children wearing big smiles as they set off on their adventure.

'The day was a bike ride with a twist,” says one of the organisers Shirley Wilson, 'having four fun stops along the way and travelling from Fergusson Park to the Historic Village and back.”

On arriving at the Historic Village, the Trekkers from the Trillian Trek put on a barbecue and refreshments, helping everyone enjoy a well-deserved rest on the Village Green.

There were lots of laughs, magical moments and inspirational stories.

Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson gave an inspirational introduction on his life coping with cerebral palsy, encouraging anybody who has a disability to never give up.

'Mark is proof of it, with him passing university, driving a car and riding his beloved jet ski,” says Pat Courtney from the Trillian Trek.

When Mark was younger his parents were told he'd never walk or talk. Born with cerebral palsy, he has had to overcome more than most. Mark has graduated from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Management Studies and donates his spare time to the Trillian Trek, formerly called the Variety Bash, which is a charity that helps sick, underprivileged and disadvantaged children around New Zealand.

Mark Wilson riding the smoothie-making bike

Cerebral palsy affects around 7000 New Zealanders. It is a physical disability that affects movement and posture, and is the most common physical disability in childhood. One in 500 New Zealand babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy and there is no known cure.

Fraser Sharp with Sam Murfitt. Sam topped the country in fundraising in 2019 for the Shave for a Cure fundraiser for leukaemia and blood cancer research.

Tauranga cyclist and 2016 Rio Paralympian Fraser Sharp also gave an inspirational talk about never giving up. Fraser had to learn to walk and talk again after being hit by a car while training on his bike in 1993. His motto in life is ‘anything is possible'. He has gone on to compete in the Ironman New Zealand twice, the Nice Ironman in France and the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman. While training for the Nice Ironman, he was encouraged to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. He is currently pursuing his dream to complete at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Frederick Petherbridge enjoying the fun day

Fraser Sharp on the smoothie-bike.

Fraser Sharp with Karen Williams and Shirley Wilson from the Brain Injured Children Trust

Representatives from IHC, Parafed, Parent to Parent, BICT, the Cerebral Palsy Society, and Trillian Trek were present at the day's event. The event was also supported and sponsored by the Cancer Society, Tauranga City Council, Pub Charity Ltd, My Ride Mount Maunganui, Engaged Learning NZ, Zespri International, Aluminium Artistry, Syndeo, The X-Site Group, New World Brookfield, Jayen Food Concepts Ltd, Sherratt Ingredients, T+G Packaging and Pacific Coast Technical Institute.

'A big thank you to My Ride Mount Maunganui with the support of Zespri and My Greengrocer for keeping everyone entertained and nourished on smoothie-making bikes,” says Shirley.

'We are so delighted to have such a community focused organisation like My Ride Mount Maunganui come alongside this event and look forward to many more to come.”

Frederick Petherbridge

Frederick Petherbridge

It was back on their bikes again to the finish with another fun stop to visit a stunning mermaid and her treasures. A great treat for all the kids.

A transfer bus was also available from the Historic Village for those who couldn't make the return trip by bike.

The organisers appreciated all the help for running the successful event.

'A huge thank you to all the phenomenal volunteers for making this day happen.”

Anyone who would like to be part of the next fun event can keep an eye on their Facebook page. To give a donation, go to https://www.braininjuredchildrentrust.co.nz and click on the green ‘donate' button.

Karen Williams.

Getting ready to leave Fergusson Park