Three Timaruvians are set to cycle Cambodia in an effort to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS).
In November, MS South Canterbury chairman Barry Taylor, committee member Roxanne Rooney and Ian Latham will be travelling to Cambodia as part of a team of six New Zealanders taking part in MS New Zealand’s (MSNZ) first international fundraiser.
Ride for MS aims to raise money to support the 5000 New Zealanders living with MS and ensure they continue to have the support they need to live their best lives.
As a keen cyclist, Mr Taylor said the fundraiser was a great opportunity.
‘‘I thought it’d be a cool thing to do — go to Cambodia and raise some money for MSNZ.
‘‘I haven’t really got a family connection as far as MS goes or anything but I’ve been involved with MS in South Canterbury for about seven years now.’’
For Mr Latham, he said after having just arrived in Timaru he was looking to get involved with a local charitable organisation.
‘‘One of the main reasons I wanted to get involved was my brother-in-law’s got MS, so that was a real catalyst for me. Then, this opportunity came along and I thought ‘hmm, that’s a good thing to do’ and it gives me a goal to work to.’’
Mrs Rooney said the fundraiser ticked all the boxes for her.
‘‘I’m much the same as Ian, you get to give back to the MS Society, which is really important as they help a lot of people and you also get to go on an epic adventure and get a bit of fitness in there. It was full of things I was excited about.’’
In order to take part the trio have to pay for their flights on top of a trip cost of $2999 each.
They are then aiming to raise an additional $3000 each for MSNZ.
Mr Taylor said he was fortunate to have MS South Canterbury helping fund his trip.
‘‘I would like the other organisations to do the same, to help, because some people haven’t got six grand sitting in their bank, especially when you’ve got to raise another $3000 on top of that.
‘‘I’ve actually managed to already tick that off which is surprising.
‘‘I just flicked out emails to people I knew, and even some people I didn’t hardly know, and some of them have donated,’’ he said.
‘‘I also have a quiz night planned at the Sail and Anchor on October 29, so hopefully I’ll be able to share some of that money with the other two if they’re not quite at their target.
‘‘We want to make sure we all get there.’’
They will be spending a week in Cambodia between November 3-10 and aside from cycling about 30km-40km per day, they will be immersing themselves in local culture, shopping, visiting temples and taking part in a various activities like a cooking class.
Mr Taylor said that while the majority of what they raised would be going to MSNZ, one third would be going back to the South Canterbury region.
‘‘I heard they had been struggling to get people involved, so the money was going to be all for MSNZ but now they’ve decided that a good bit of what you raise comes back to your region.
‘‘So, if I just raise the three grand, a thousand will come back and it’s up to me to either donate it back [to MSNZ] or donate it to something within MS here.
‘‘There’s some really cool stuff happening at the moment for research and people want their money to go to the right place.’’
Mrs Rooney said she thought it was important to be able to keep some of the funds locally.
‘‘Especially because there’s such a small number going and the majority of us are from Timaru. It makes sense to help our local community, I think, rather than it going up to the big smoke.
‘‘It helps our community, our people.’’
Registrations to take part in the fundraiser are open until the end of August and anyone wanting more information about taking part can contact MS South Canterbury.
For those wishing to support Barry, Roxanne and Ian, donations can be made by visiting the leaders tab and selecting one of their individual profiles at multiple-sclerosis-newzealand.grassrootz.com/msnzcambodia-2025.
Roxanne Rooney in Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand Cambodia 2025
Barry Taylor in Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand Cambodia 2025
Ian Latham in Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand Cambodia 2025
