Cyclists raise funds in Steph's memory

Stephanie McHale with son Gareth. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Three young men will take on the Rotorua to Taupo 100K Flyer this Saturday to raise money for a fund set up in Stephanie McHale's memory.

Mrs McHale, 29, died when the car she and her then 6-week-old baby, Gareth, were in was involved in a collision with another car at Hemo Gorge on State Highway 5, south of Rotorua on October 14 last year.

A three-man squad from Rotorua Racing are asking for the Rotorua public to get behind them for this Saturday's race, said team manager Ian Guy.

"Last year's time of 2 hours 44 minutes wasn't great, mainly because of the weather," Mr Guy said.

"This year we are aiming for 2.20 and the lads are seeking individual sponsors to pay for every minute they are quicker than last year's time. The quicker they go, the more sponsorship they get.

"It's all for a very good cause."

Mrs McHale's husband, Dr Ben McHale, who won the event last year, was a role model for the riders, Mr Guy said.

The fund benefits the Special Care Baby Unit at Rotorua Hospital, a 10-bed, level two neonatal unit which provides care for sick and pre-term infants.

The organisers of the Flyer, Event Promotions, have provided free entry to Rotorua Racing.

"It will be great to have the team taking on the elite race this Saturday," said Event Promotions' Char Pearson, who is also Mrs McHale's sister. "They're doing it for a cause that is important to us, so we are happy to be supporting their endeavours."

Rotorua Racing is for under-23 riders and is supported by Waiariki Institute of Technology, QE Health Spa, Rehabilitation and Wellness Centre and Pure Nutrition.

"The Flyer will be a great opportunity for the lads to have a good hit-out and raise some money for Steph," Mr Guy said.

Dr McHale said he wasn't able to take part in the Flyer this year because he was working night shift on Friday.

"I will be heading straight to bed, not on a bike to Taupo, although the thought did cross my mind," he said.

The fund in Mrs McHale's name is the brainchild of Revolve Rotorua, a cycling group that ran the Super V event in February that raised $1500 for the same cause.

Dr McHale said he wanted to donate the money to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), because their son, Gareth, was born four weeks premature and spent two weeks in the unit.

"Ian's (Guy) wife works in SCBU and was one of the nurses for a number of shifts who looked after us. They don't get the recognition they deserve."

He would meet with SCBU nurses, once he knew how much had been raised, to see where the funds would be best spent.

To sponsor the riders email ian.guy@waiariki.ac.nz.