Lance Corporal Hannah Drake and WO1 Aaron Williamson train for Army Cycling fundraiser Heartrate180. (LN 10-0069-03).
12 November 2010
Combining a personal dream of riding the length of New Zealand with fundraising for Heart Children will see Linton’s Lance Corporal Hannah Drake swap the eight wheels of her Light Armoured Vehicle for two.
Lance Corporal Drake will cycle the length of New Zealand beginning in Bluff on 13 November and finishing at Cape Reinga on 24 November.
The fundraiser, Heart Rate 180, is in memory of Jacob Regan Pointon, who at age 19 died during a heart procedure in December 2008. Jacob’s resting heart rate was 180 beats per minute giving effect to the unusual name of the fundraiser.
While still at high school, Hannah was Jacob’s babysitter and she became good friends with both Jacob and his mother Nicola Pointon.
“After his death I wanted to do something to raise awareness and help other children with heart conditions”, says Lance Corporal Drake.
Lance Corporal Drake will be accompanied by Warrant Officer Class One Aaron Williamson as the pair average 200km a day, stopping for rest in towns along the way.
They will also be accompanied in the South Island by soldiers from Burnham, with a contingent of the Army cycling team joining them for the ride from Wellington to Palmerston North. Warrant Officer Class One Wayne McAsey from Whanganui will accompany them from Wellington to Cape Reinga.
After reaching Cape Reinga they will complete the 160km Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge and a fun ride with Heart Children.
It is hoped to raise $30,000 for Heart Children New Zealand and anyone wanting to donate can go to www.everydayhero.co.nz/hr180 or contribute as the team passes through your town.
ENDS
For further information contact Paul Stein on 021 409 033, or Warrant Officer Williamson on 027 443 2506
Heart Children
Heart Children New Zealand was started in 1984 and established as a national organisation in 1994. Heart Children New Zealand provides care and support to heart kids and their families from before birth, through surgery, rehabilitation and into the future. Their mission is to provide life long care for all those affected by the world's most common birth defects or heart disease acquired during childhood.
Cycling schedule
Date Depart From To Distance
13-Nov-10 0600 Bluff (Sign Post) Kensington Army Hall (Dunedin) 247
14-Nov-10 0700 Kensington Army Hall (Dunedin) Timaru Army Office 199
15-Nov-10 0700 Timaru Army Office Christchurch (The Square) 163
16-Nov-10 0700 Christchurch (The Square) Kaikoura Marae 183
17-Nov-10 0700 Kaikoura Marae Picton Interisland Ferry Terminal 157
18-Nov-10 0800 Wellington Railway Station Linton Camp 145
19-Nov-10 0700 Linton Camp Waiouru 130
20-Nov-10 0600 Waiouru Hamilton Army Office 292
21-Nov-10 0700 Hamilton Army Office Papakura Camp 126
22-Nov-10 0700 Papakura Camp Whangarei Army Office 215
23-Nov-10 0700 Whangarei Army Office Kaitaia 155
24-Nov-10 0700 Kaitaia Cape Reinga 116
27-Nov-10 0700 Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 160