Fund powering ahead

(From left) Troy Dobinson, competition entrant Trevor Ward, Kerry Bartle from Trek, winner Matthew Washington and Craig Trapp (front) from 24/7 Cycling Safety Fund.

Claudia Baxter

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THE long trek to a safe cycling facility for Ipswich is steadily continuing down the slow but sure road to fruition.

The 24/7 Cycling Safety Fund was set up to raise money to build a safe cycling facility after three Ipswich cyclists were killed.

Yellow Jersey bike shop owner Troy Dobinson's mother Narelle was the third of them.

The latest addition to the fund came from a raffle supported by Trek Bicycle Corporation.

Trek donated a 2012 Trek Leopard 5.2 Madone carbon road bike valued at $3799 as first prize and added $2500 to the fund.

Trek territory manager Kerry Bartle said the company was always happy to support the fund.

"It's a good cause to support, with the number of people who have been killed on the road," Mr Bartle said. "Troy's vision is obviously good for the community and Trek is very family-focussed so we're more than happy to support him. Troy's a special guy."

Matthew Washington from Redbank Plains said he was overwhelmed at winning the bike.

"It's awesome; it's unreal," he said. "I only bought a ticket to support the fund; I've never won anything in a raffle before. When I got the call it was a real spin-out. I've only had BMX bikes before; I'm definitely going to start getting into it."

Mr Dobinson said the fund was going well but had a long way to get to its destination.

"We've just reached $30,000, which is great but when you realise our target is $500,000 it makes you think how far we have to go," he said.

"But five months on we're doing really well and we are talking to some big sponsors about major fundraising events next year.

"Special mention should go to the Ipswich City Council for their support. We need them because this isn't going to be a private thing; it needs state and federal government support as well."