Up to the challenge

By Nicole Williams
A TEAM of cyclists will take on a challenge of a lifetime when they fly to Cambodia next week.
Dandenong-worker Jared Foster will be among 15 Victorians, with and without disability, who will cycle 370 kilometres in five days across Cambodia to raise money and awareness for women with disability in Victoria and Cambodia.
Jared plays wheelchair basketball and came across the challenge through his employer, Norden Body Works, a sponsor of wheelchair basketball and a vehicle modifier for wheelchair access.
Although Jared is able-bodied, he has depression, which was a big reason for his involvement in the challenge.
“Depression can also be really debilitating,” he said.
“It is a massive thing to be fit, active and healthy and was a driving force for me to get involved and active.”
“This is about challenging yourself out of the ordinary.”
The CyclePower team, including champion handcyclist, Disability Sport and Recreation ambassador and paraplegic, Gary Connor, will cycle from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh as well as deliver 16 sports wheelchairs to its charity partner ‘Stand up Cambodia’.
The charity runs a women’s wheelchair basketball program – minus the wheelchairs.
“At the moment they are shooting hoops from boxes so you can well imagine their excitement of being able to say that they are now a real women’s wheelchair basketball team,” Jared said.
“We have all been raising money to be able to deliver the wheelchairs.”
The CyclePower team has been raising money for Disability Sport and Recreation, a not-for-profit association which provides and promotes positive health outcomes for Victorians with disability through participation in physical activity.
The team fly out of Melbourne on Friday 1 June and will return on Sunday 10 June.