MoneyQuest Camberwell franchise owners Jason Butcher and Ashley Jones have completed a 10-day bike ride between Sydney and Melbourne, crossing the finish line at Federation Square in Melbourne on yesterday (30 May).
The two brokers commenced their ride, which they called MQC1000, on 21 May in a bid to raise money for their two chosen charities: Dementia Australia and Ronald McDonald House.
Having competed in the 145-kilometre Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride at the end of April to train for the journey, the duo began MQC1000 from the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House on 21 May.
They then cycled over 100 kilometres a day, on average, hugging the NSW coastline through popular holiday destinations, such as Lakes Entrance, Merimbula, before ending in Melbourne yesterday (30 May).
In total, they cycled a distance of 1,115.9 kilometres and climbed a total of 11,692 metres in elevation (more than Mount Everest).
On the way, the pair experienced 60-kilometre-per-hour headwinds, punctured tyres, and traffic detours, all while cycling more than five hours a day through body cramps to complete their targeted stops.
The ride was supported by sponsors RedZed, Camberwell Sports & Spinal Medicine, and MoneyQuest.
Michael Russell, Money Quest Group managing director, commented: “To watch Jase and Ash cross the finish line after such an epic ride was a real thrill. A group of us from MQG gathered at Federation Square to welcome them home and it was wonderful to see the smiles on their faces and congratulate them in person.
“Cycling for 10 days straight along treacherous stretches of road and in trying conditions is no mean feat. We’re all in awe of what they’ve achieved, and incredibly proud of their fundraising efforts for Dementia Australia and Ronald McDonald House Charity.
”A big well done to their families too, who supported them every kilometre of the way.”
Rob Barton rows the Indian Ocean
Mr Butcher and Mr Jones aren’t the only brokers undertaking challenges to raise awareness and funds for charity; Strawberry Finance broker Rob Barton is currently around 40 per cent of the way through a Guinness World Record Challenge to become the first man to complete a solo row from Australia to Africa.
As at 30 May, he had only 4,874 kilometres left to go.
While seven people have rowed across the Indian Ocean before, no rower has done it without stopping at land en route.
The broker, left Carnarvon, Western Australia, on 26 April (two days late due to adverse winds), to attempt the first solo, non-stop row across the Indian Ocean.
His goal is to raise $300,000 for Zero2Hero, a Western Australia-based youth mental health charity that educates, engages, and empowers thousands of young people a year to support and maintain their mental health and prevent suicide in their communities.
You can donate to Rob Barton’s Australia2Africa row on the Zero2Hero website or track his progress online via his Facebook page or live satellite tracker.
[Related: Perth broker attempts to become 1st person to row non-stop to Africa]
