STAWELL - Husband and wife duo Karen Giddings and Graham Pearson are participating in a charity bike ride to raise much needed funded for those living with multiple sclerosis.
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This Sunday, the couple will complete a 46 kilometre course as part of the Melbourne Cycle 2012 event that starts at Princes Park in North Carlton.
The course will see cyclists travel from Carlton down to Albert Park, around the bay to Williamstown and moving across to Footscray before finishing back at Princes Park.
A Stawell physiotherapist, Karen is asking for the community to rally behind her as she and her husband set out to raise funds to help MS sufferers.
"We would be extremely grateful if people log on to the website to donate, it would be much appreciated," Karen said.
To donate to the MS Australia event, log on to www.msmelbourne.org.au and click on 'donate now' before searching 'Karen Giddings'.
A page will appear titled 'Make a Donation' and then follow the prompts.
Once a donation has been made, a tax deductible receipt will be sent via e-mail and the amount donated appears on Karen and Graham's website page.
On-line donations will be open for the next week, but if you prefer to make a sponsorship donation with cash you can call in to see Karen at Vitality Physiotherapy at 22 Scotland Place where she will be able to give you a tax deductible receipt from MS Australia.
Karen is looking forward to Sunday's ride, but is hoping for calm conditions as they cross Melbourne's West Gate Bridge.
"I'm a little bit nervous. I'm hoping for not much wind on the bridge," she said.
Both Karen and Graham are no strangers to cycling, and have been cycling on weekends as part of their preparation.
"We've ridden rail trails in South Australia and also locally and have previously been members of the Bicycle User Group on Kangaroo Island, where we originally came from," she said.
The couple also participate in Grampians trail blazers, including the annual Wildflower Ride, and social 30-40 kilometre riding events.
There will be 220 volunteers on hand to assist approximately 7000 cyclists in Sunday's Melbourne Cycle for MS Australia, who are hoping to raise a total of $750,000.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system affecting more young adult Australians than any other neurological condition.
MS Australia provides programs and choices to people with MS including a range of residential facilities, social support programs, accommodation support services, attendant care in private homes and involvement with regional centres.
