Pulled from the scrapheap and cobbled together from odds and ends, team Molly Moo from Armidale put together a unique collection of motorbikes for an altruistic adventure to raise awareness for down syndrome.

Each year, the Scrapheap Adventure Riders take up the challenge of buying a bike for less than $1000, doing whatever is needed to make it roadworthy and taking it through the outback; all while raising funds for Down Syndrome NSW.

Team Molly Moo from Armidale, stopped in Nyngan on their way to their final destination of the ride, Pooncarie.

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Team member Tony Woods said the ride meant a lot to his family, after their niece Molly passed away from leukaemia as a result of down syndrome at age four.

“In our particular case our team Molly Moo is named after our niece, young Molly, she unfortunately passed away of leukaemia at the age of four, and she was born with down syndrome,” Mr Woods said.

"Unfortunately one of some of the illnesses that go hand in hand with down syndrome, not all of the time, but some of the time is Leukaemia and also heart problems.”

“She unfortunately had both and passed away at the age of four, so for us its our way of healing,” he said.

For Mr Woods the adventure ride is important to not only raise awareness of down syndrome, but also raise funds to support Down Syndrome NSW.

A number of teams and individuals from across Australia take part in the ride each October, this year over 100 riders are taking part with the intention to raise $100,000 for the cause.

“So far its taken us four days to get here, its been great so far,” Mr Woods said.

“This year our team from Armidale and surrounds has raised in excess of $10,000.”

“Its a good fundraiser, and when we get to the destination were entertained by a group called the Up Club, up being the opposite of down, and theyre a group of young adults with down syndrome who go out and help with the entertainment and meals.”

“Its a great adventure.”

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Nyngan Observer

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