And we are also excited to announce PureTrails ride against Motor Neurone Disease. On September 25 the staff of Christchurch based cycle tour company, PureTrails NZ, will be undertaking the ride of their lives by attempting to cycle the 150km Otago Rail Trail in one long day.Foremost in their thoughts during this gruelling physical and mental challenge will be their former colleague, Jim Millar, who sadly passed away on July 10 2014 following an 18 month battle with motor neurone disease. Jim Millar joined the company as a tour guide in 2006 after retiring from a distinguished career with the NZ Police, and quickly became a valued member of the team and a great friend. Jim had a great love of the countryside, particularly the South Canterbury area where he grew up and spent much of his youth hunting. His tours were always full of stories of folklore and the interesting characters that he had known over the years. When Jim had to give up guiding in 2013 he had led over 700 people on walking and cycling trips across the South Island over eight summer seasons. For the team at PureTrails, most of whom fall into the 60+ age group, this will be the biggest physical challenge any have attempted. Many months of training and preparation are going into the cycle challenge, which is expected to take up to 10 hours to complete. PureTrails co-founder Sue Weller recalls “Touring with Jim I discovered very quickly that he was always up for a challenge - like the time we cycled down Skippers Canyon on our day off, and the time he jogged the whole length of a trail looking for clients who had gone the wrong way!” Knowing what Jim had to endure with his illness has been compelling motivation for the team of riders. “This challenge will be for Jim and the enormous challenges he and other motor neurone sufferers face every day. By hook or by crook, I am going to do it” says Sue. The cycle challenge was planned before Jim passed away and he was very enthusiastic about it. Jim liked the idea of others extending themselves and pushing personal boundaries. Near the end his humour never waived with the comment “There will be the normal support for the panseys who want a ride in the bus!” Jim enlisted family and friends to join in the challenge, and the team of riders has grown to include Jim’s family, friends, and riders representing the NZ Police and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NZ. Jim was fortunate to have his dedicated wife Steph, a nurse, as his primary carer and the family are grateful for the support of the Motor Neurone field worker and the Christchurch Clinic Team. The team of riders are hoping to raise $10,000 for the South Island branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NZ, as well as raising the profile of this terrible disease. It’s not too late to get online and donate to the cause here puretrailsnewzealand.co.nz/our-mate-jim.htm
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 05:54:42 +0000