12 October 2010

At a time in life when most people are putting up their feet, 62-year-old Geoff Hoddinott is doing the exact opposite. Geoff has almost completed a solo 16,000 kms cycle ride around Australia to raise funds for The Asthma Foundation of Victoria.

Geoff will be in Warnambool later this week, probably Wednesday, October 14, or Thursday October 15, on his way back to Geelong where he commenced the ride last March.

Asthma is something well known to Geoff and his family. He has had the condition since childhood. One of his three daughters, Nicole, 31, has asthma and nearly died from an allergic reaction as a child.

Geoff, who has worked in the wool industry for years, is from Leopold on the Bellarine Peninsula. He left Queenscliff on Sunday, March 14 and peddled on his trek7200 hybrid cycle east across Victoria, then north through NSW and Queensland before heading west. He planned to ride up to 80 kms a day during his circumnavigation of Australia, with a rest every third or fourth day.

Geoff aims, or rather has, to be back by December 12 so he can celebrate his wife, Evon’s 60th birthday, but at the rate he is going should get home ahead of schedule.

“I just want people to know that you are never too old to achieve something,” says Geoff. “I also want to raise funds to support people with asthma, since I know firsthand how tough it can be. I had it pretty bad as a child and still have it occasionally these days.”

Geoff can be contacted during his cycle on 0409 847 847 to gauge arrival details for Warnambool.

Donations to Geoff’s initiative in support of The Asthma Foundation of Victoria can be made on his web page at: www.mycause.com.au/geoffsride2010

Media liaison James Nevein, Communications Manager, Asthma Foundation of Victoria
Phone: (03) 9326 7088 or 0418 140 402 Email jnevein@asthma.org.au