45 cyclists on 1,000km charity ride

A GROUP of 45 cyclists have embarked on a 1,000km trip to raise funds for kidney dialysis patients.

The group, Epic Cyclist, flagged off from Singapore before daybreak yesterday. They will pass through Malacca, Kuantan and Mersing in Malaysia before returning on Friday.

They hope to raise $250,000 for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF), a non-profit organisation which provides subsidised dialysis treatment for low-income patients.

While Epic Cyclist has organised two fund-raising cycling events previously, this year’s ride will be its longest yet and take an estimated four days.

By 6pm yesterday, the cyclists, who are in their 20s to 60s, were close to Malacca after a “very, very hot day” of cycling. “One thing we didn’t expect were the bush fires along the route – they are very smoky and still burning,” said group leader Clifford Lee, 42, who runs an IT business.

As of yesterday evening, the group has raised about $223,000 for the KDF, which has helped more than 700 patients since its start in 1996. It now has about 300 patients under its care.

Those who wish to donate can do so via the KDF website or at giveasia.org/movement/kdf_ millennium_ride_2014

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