By Luke Voogt
David Upham’s family will be right beside him when he takes to the pedals this month to raise money for sick children.
The Highton local will take off from St Kilda on 4 March for Victoria Ride for Sick Kids, which raises money for Ronald McDonald House.
His father John, brother Paul and sister Danielle will be alongside him on four-day, 400km ride, which passes through Lorne and Geelong.
“They’ve been unbelievable,” he said, “they’ve gotten right behind me.
“It will be my sister’s first time. She hadn’t even ridden a road bike until a month ago.”
The ride will be the fifth for the fast food chain’s Lara licensee, who has raised roughly $25,000 for the charity since 2002.
The 37-year-old has been riding 150km a week trying to get “bike fit” again.
“I used to do triathlons and do a bit of riding,” he said.
“I’ve been doing a lot of training over the last few weeks.”
The charity ride will also be his 66-year-old father’s fifth.
“He rides about 160km a week,” David said.
“He doesn’t look like a rider but he goes real good.”
Despite having raised about $700 when he spoke to the Indy on 22 February, he was confident he could again reach his $5000 goal.
“My family normally all chip in the last few weeks,” he said.“And whatever I raise (from donors) I double it.”
Geelong football legends Billy Brownless and Cameron Ling will join David for “A Night in the Waterfront” during the ride on 6 March.
The event will feature AFL personality Craig “Hutchy” Hutchinson and Sue Vittori, who rode around Cambodia raising money to prevent violence against children.
“They have a function every night raising money,” David said.
“This is the first time I’ll be hosting one – which is pretty exciting.”
For more information visit www.rmhc.org.au/events/night-waterfront
