Tom Parry
SALE Mitsubishi recently hosted a group of cyclists raising funds for a worthy cause.
Over 20 participants stopped by the York Street car dealership on the third day of their ride across Gippsland.
Dealer Principal at Sale Mitsubishi, Anthony Cefala, explained to the Gippsland Times how the dealership came to be a stopping point on the journey.
“Being a Mitsubishi dealer, I was approached by one of Mitsubishi’s employees, Denis Mahoney, who I know through the network,” Mr Cefala said.
Denis Mahoney is the Major Market Development Manager with Mitsubishi Motors Australia.
“He mentioned that he was part of this ride program and Mitsubishi were a major sponsor of the program, and hence thought it would be a good opportunity for some mutual PR for our dealership, but also to raise awareness of the charity at the same time.”
The cyclists were participating in Ride for Relief, a six-day fundraising tour which began at Metung Hot Springs on Tuesday, February 21 with an 86-kilometre loop ride across the wider Lakes Entrance region.
Wednesday saw the group ride 130 kilometres from Metung to Sale, staying overnight at The Matador on Raymond St.
After a brief visit to Sale Mitsubishi in the morning, riders spent Thursday travelling 118 kilometres to Yarram via the Tarra Valley.
This was followed by the most testing leg of the journey on Friday: a 173-kilometre ride to Phillip Island, taking in elevation changes of 1,575 metres.
Then on Saturday, riders took the ferry from Cowes to Stony Point, riding through the greater Mornington area and finishing at Peninsula Hot Springs.
The six-day tour concluded on Sunday with a loop around the Peninsula, taking in Portsea, Sorrento and Arthurs Seat.
Ride for Relief was conducted in support of Mentis Assist, a charity which provides specialised mental health support for those living with a mental illness.
Participants aimed to raise $200,000 for the cause; at the time of print, over $140,000 had been raised.
Funds are still being collected by the group and can be donated via rideforrelief.grassrootz.com
Photo: Tom Parry
