THE Horsham Hootenannies are preparing to head to the Barossa Valley in South Australia on Saturday for the 2014 Ride to Cure Diabetes.
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Team members Kate Alessia, Hannah McKinlay, Barry Sherwell, Annie Noonan and Heather and Phil Proctor will each ride either 80 or 160 kilometres through the hills of the Barossa Valley as part of the event.
The group is closing in on its goal of raising $20,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Dr Alessia said the ride was important to her because her family had been directly affected by diabetes.
“I have two sisters with type one diabetes. One has had it since she was seven, the other since she was 26,” she said.
“Australia has the highest rate of type one diabetes in the world and no-one knows why.
“This will be the seventh time I have participated in the Ride to Cure.
"This year it is wonderful to have great team-mates bringing their energy, enthusiasm and fundraising efforts to the ride.”
Dr Alessia said the team would love to reach its target of $20,000 by Saturday.
“Any donations – large or small – are very welcome, and people can be sure their contribution goes directly towards finding a cure for type one diabetes,” she said.
Dr Alessia said people could visit ride.jdrf.org.au and search for the Horsham Hootenannies to donate.
Priceline Pharmacy Horsham is sponsoring the team.
The business is a sub-agent for Diabetes Australia’s National Diabetes Services Scheme.
Priceline Pharmacy Horsham owner Stuart Hall said he was proud to support the team.
“The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is doing some great work into the prevention and cure of type one diabetes,” he said.
“We are pleased to be able to help the Horsham Hootenannies raise money to further this important research.”