MORE than 450 motorcycle riders and pillions took part in the Grampians Ride to Remember on Sunday.
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The large number of riders from Ararat, Stawell, St Arnaud and Horsham was particularly pleasing for organisers.
The event aims to raise $150,000 for the Jason Bond Perioperative Unit at East Grampians Health Service.
Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Neil Soullier presented a cheque for $30,000 for the project immediately after the conclusion of the ride, which will add to the $60,000 already donated since July last year.
The Grampians Ride to Remember is expected to raise a further $10,000 for the project. More than $800,000 has been donated to East Grampians Health Service by the foundation and its Ararat branch since 2002.
The ride departed the Ararat Performing Arts Centre at 9am following a safety briefing from Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Road Traffic Doug Fryer and safety officer Jenny Papst.
The traditional waving of the Victoria Police flags included Blue Ribbon Foundation chief executive Neil Soullier, Ararat Rural City Mayor Paul Hooper, East Grampians Health Service board chairman Matt Wood, Victoria Police-Wimmera Region Superintendent Paul Margetts together with Michael and Lindy Bond (parents of Jason Bond).
The long trail of riders was led by the assistant commissioner and Senior Constable Brad Bond (Jason Bond’s brother) out of Ararat via a scenic route through to Halls Gap for morning tea.
The ride continued through the Grampians National Park via Yarram Road to Willaura before regrouping at Moyston for the journey back to Ararat.
The event concluded at Alexandra Gardens in Ararat with a meal prepared by he Ararat Lions Club.
The free show ‘n’ shine again proved popular with many taking the opportunity to show off their bikes.
Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch vice president Shaun Allen acknowledged all involved in the event and, in particular, the registered riders and pillions.
“The Ararat branch is indebted to outstanding support of Victoria Police, the sub-committee who took on organising the event again this year, the marshalls, support teams and the volunteers and organisations who come together to make this a signature event,” Mr Allen said.