A LOCAL cycling group, which was pondered over a few beers at the pub, is now a fundraising juggernaut for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.
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The Soft Cogs, started in 2006 by founder and current president Kim Nguyen, is aiming big by setting the goal of raising $1 million for MS by the end of its first 10 years.
The annual 90km Sydney to Gong (Wollongong) MS bike ride has been the group’s Tour de France for the past eight years and its major fundraiser with the combined efforts of riders and sponsors helping them raise $870,000.
About 90 riders from the Soft Cogs are making the journey to Sydney this Sunday to take part in the Sydney to Gong ride to get them that one step closer to their goal.
On average the riders fundraise close to $100,000 every year, so the hopes are that the trend continues and the Soft Cogs can achieve their ultimate $1million milestone in 2015.
The team has historically been in the top five for the fundraisers at the iconic push bike race almost every year they have entered.
Kim said the Soft Cogs didn’t have any plans to quit any time soon.
“The Soft Cogs started out when I noticed that there were several bike riders among my colleagues in the mining industry and it has just grown from there,” he told The Argus.
“All our riders are at different
levels and that has been important to attracting more members to the Soft Cogs because it’s more of a social and fun bike riding group where everyone, no matter their age or fitness is welcome.
“Word of mouth about the group is probably our biggest recruiter.”
The Soft Cogs now boast 250 active and passive members, mostly from the Hunter Valley mining industry, but also from as far afield as Queensland and Western Australia.
The group’s best year was in 2009 when 138 people kitted up for the Sydney to Gong ride, raising their largest fundraising total of $158,000.
“It may be difficult to raise those big amounts again,” Kim said.
“But, despite the current economic climate, we’ve been overwhelmed with the generosity of donations, with the vast majority coming from individuals in the community.”
The Soft Cogs are looking to expand their annual bike riding routine and are in discussion with the Singleton Rotary Club about a potential charity ride out to Lake St Clair in the near future.
Next year is sure to an exciting one for the cycling group, as they celebrate their decade-long anniversary.
The Soft Cogs motto is “Doing great things on two wheels” and it’s definitely something the team has lived up to through their fundraising and fun spirit.
Riders are still welcome to register and join the team in this Sunday’s ride via the Soft Cog’s website www.softcogsinc.com