Image: Supplied.

The 2018 edition of the KTM Ride4Kids fundraising event took place at the Broadford State Motorcycle Sport Complex in Victoria on Saturday, 25 August, raising over $80,000 for Challenge in support of kids with cancer.

In excess of 200 riders gathered at Broadford for the 16th-consecutive Ride4Kids event, including KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Lyndon Snodgrass and KTM-supported off-road racer Jack Simpson. The annual fundraiser is all about riding with the intention of making a difference for children living with cancer.

KTM Australia supplied two brand new KTM SX dirt bikes to be given away as part of this year’s Ride4Kids initiative. Highest fundraiser Rielly Lynch was one of the recipients and elected to take home a KTM 65 SX for his incredible efforts, while a KTM 50 SX drawn from a hat on the day was awarded to Ashton Riley.

“This is something that KTM’s very passionate about, giving back to the community and people who are in need,” commented KTM Australia general manager Jeff Leisk. “Ride4Kids, which supports kids with cancer through charity, is an event we have been proud to support for many years.

“It has a really unique, enjoyable format where people get to ride their bikes together, plus it’s good to see the industry itself really support the cause – it makes you proud to be a motorcyclist.

“The essence of the event is about having fun on the bike while supporting the cause, so it is really great to see that some of the youngest kids involved have often been the biggest fundraisers over the years. That’s tremendous to see, the young people getting in there with a lot of effort in their own time to raise funds for the charity. We are really proud to be involved.”

This year’s KTM Ride4Kids also featured the competitive Vincent Chiodo Cup for the more experienced racers in attendance, offering a prize pool of $12,000. It was Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) star Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders who won the event for 2018, with last year’s inaugural winner Simpson placing third.

“With the support that we have received from Jeff Leisk and the whole KTM team, this event continues to grow and become an event that everyone has marked on the calendar on an annual basis,” stated Craig Gathercole, Ride4Kids organiser. “KTM has supported us for over 10 years now and have made a major contribution to children and families living with cancer.”

Throughout the 16 years of the KTM Ride4Kids event, over $800,000 has been raised to support children and families on their cancer journeys. Further information on the not-for-profit Challenge organisation can be found via their official website at www.challenge.org.au.