History
How the Charity Santa Ride began
It all started with a group of 11 friends who used to ride to the pub every Thursday night for the pub meal deal.
One night, one of the group Brenda van Heuzen was feeling festive and put it out there “If I buy Santa Suits, would you guys be crazy enough to wear them and ride to the Pub?”. “Of course they hollered ’YEAAH!”, so she scooted off to Spotlight to bag 13 x 10 buck Santa Suits.”
In 2005 those crazy 11 locals cheerily rode to the Husky pub sporting the hottest Santa attire for a fun night. The original Santa crew was made up of locals Tracy and John Gibson, Vickie and Brenda van Heuzen, Travis Meadows, Fiona Chiam, John McKee, Ross Boardman, Andrew McKenzie, Craig Mather and Natalia Goozeff.
When they arrived at the pub, Craig Mather rode through the back bar and we all went and sat outside at the rear of the pub. Paul McGroder, the publican, saw us coming down the street and jumped on the festive wagon offering a free BBQ and drink if we rounded up 50 Santas for 2006.
Well that got Brenda thinking, if we charge everyone $15 to enter, we can give that money to a Charity.
With the Husky Fire Brigade as the first charity of choice the Charity Santa Ride began….
How is the money raised?
Here is how you can assist our cause in raising money.
Ride ticket Sales
Ride ticket sales is our main source of raising money. You can buy a ticket knowing that all the money raised by ticket sales will be donated to the Rural Fire Service. Even if you're not going to go in the ride you can still buy a ticket knowing that the money is going to a good place (and you get a beer and sausage sandwich as well).
Raffle Ticket Sales
Raffle ticket sales are also great in bumping up the money raised. Raffle prizes are donated by local businesses and raffle tickets are sold on the evening of the ride with winners announced there and then on the night.
Donations
Donations are always accepted! With 100% of any donation going into the total tally raised and handed over to the Rural Fire Service we will be happy to accept any donation be it $10, $100, $1000 or $10 000. For details on how and where to donate send us a message on the contact tab at the top of the page.
The Ride
Vincentia Primary School to The Huskisson (The Husky Pub)
All Santas are to meet at the Vincentia Primary School no later than 6pm.
The scenic, mostly level ride, starts at the Vincentia Primary School running down The Wool Road and left onto Elizabeth Drive all the way across Moona Moona Creek bridge to Huskisson following through to Owen Street where a lap of Owen Street is conducted for all the waiting spectators.
The ride finishes at The Huskisson with all ticket holders (you must have your ticket with you) being provided with a sausage sandwich and a drink put on by The Huskisson.
At just under 5km it's a relatively easy ride and is suitable for most riders at a leisurely pace.
With many spectators out on the streets to cheer you on you'll need to make sure you've looking the part and fitting in with the Santa theme.
Please remember:
- Helmets are essential
- No alcohol permitted during the ride
- Riders must be over 12 years old
Sponsors
