It’s all in the family for the Nielson family and their participation in Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster.
Dad Geoff, daughters Kylie and Beck and Kylie’s partner Darren Tabone have all taken part in the fundraising event for a number of years, simple because it is fun.
Geoff and Kylie have both done the ride for several years, but 2015 was Beck’s first year.
“We just love it because it’s a fun event for the family to do together,” Beck Nielson said.
“Dad’s always ridden bikes – I remember being on the front of his bike, riding around the yard when I was really little,” Beck said.
“He always said he’d get himself a Harley when he quit smoking, and he did that about seven years ago,” she said.
Geoff said he enjoys the family aspect of the ride. “As a family weekend away, we ride on the hospital Muster and we all love it as an annual family event of fun and enjoyment.”
Kylie added that the Muster riders are a great community. “Darren and I first joined the muster five years ago because Mum and Dad had taken part in the past and they had a lot of fun. It’s a great community event that has taken us to local areas that we never had experienced before, even though we have lived here for over 20 years,” she said.
While Geoff, Kylie and Darren all ride Harley-Davidson’s, Beck rides a Suzuki, which came about when she won two scooters that she sold.
Foundation CEO Tony Franz, who always participates in the ride himself, said it has contributed more than $700, 000 towards improved health outcomes since its inception in 2002.
Fundraising this year is going toward the Cairns Hospital Emergency Department – a video laryngoscope which improves patient safety during intubation, and a non-invasive ventilator that reduces rates of intubation. The total value of these items is just over $60, 000.
“Wayne and Rhonda Leonard are long-time supporters of the Foundation and the local community, and we are grateful to have their family so closely involved with this premier fundraising event for health care in the region,” Mr Franz said.
“Every cent raised goes directly to the cause intended and stays local to help local families,” he said.
For further information or to register visit Motorcycle Muster.
