Lawnmowers are being greased, oiled and primed in preparation to ride an 86km stint in support of cancer sufferers next month.
Organisers of the Mowsworth Rampage challenge are calling on Nelson Tasman ride-on mower owners to join in the ride which will see the mowers driven from Molesworth Station to Hanmer Springs on 23 March - an 86km journey to fundraise for Nelson Cancer Society Tasman and Nelson Tasman Hospice.
“We have had friends and family members over the past few years affected by cancer, some have lost their battle, others are still fighting, Hospice and Cancer Society are important to us,” Mowsworth Rampage organiser Stuart Newport says.
“Hospice is not funded so we really want to support them, they support anyone who has a life-ending illness not just cancer.”
The journey will see riders mount their mowers - minus the blades - with family, friends, or workplaces sponsoring them to raise much-needed funds for the organisations.
Richmond Glass has got behind the event as the main sponsor.
“It’s not a race; it will be a long hot, dusty slog,” Stuart says.
“Yes, you will be riding a lawn mower with no guts. Yes, you will laugh and curse and think you could walk faster than this.
“Yes, it will be hard, but this challenge is nothing compared to what cancer patients go through every day.”
The idea came to Stuart when he was picking up a ride on a lawn mower. He has been through the Molesworth on dirt bikes over the years and really enjoyed it so thought it would be nice to see the scenery at a slower pace.
“The idea was received so well by everyone, it’s really taken off,” he says.
The Mowsworth Rampage will start at Molesworth Station and go through to Hanmer Springs with three pit stops along the way, with support crews.
Stuart says it’s going ahead rain, hail, or shine.
“The only thing that will stop us is something major like a natural disaster,” Stuart says.
“I estimate, with the stops it will take around twelve hours, nine of those hours in the mower seat.”
Cosmetic modifications to the mowers are encouraged but performance modifications are not.
“This is an endurance event where the winners are the Cancer Society and Hospice, we endeavour to have as many, if not all mowers, make it to the finish,” Stuart adds.
Stuart is calling on people to join and take on this challenge as a tribute to support local people in our care.
“Dress up, decorate your ride-on lawnmower, get people to support you, and join us at the starting line, it’s going to be a great day out for a good cause.”
Mowsworth Rampage is on Saturday, 23 March. Those interested in participating, supporting or donating can head here.
