Seven riders and four support crew are raising funds for Heart Kids Australia, who supports families of children born with a congenital heart disease.

Owners of the Empire Hotel, Jamie and Nell Canellis, made the team feel at home and provided them with a free spread. 

The lunch gave them the energy they needed to get them through the next 70km to Cowra.

The team started the journey at Federation Square in Melbourne last Saturday and will finish at the Opera House steps on Sunday, October 4. 

The riders have passed through Seymour, Numurkah, Jerilderie, Collingullie, Cootamundra. They ride onto Bathurst, Katoomba and then Sydney.

Event organiser Mark Whalley, who started planning the event 12 months ago, said he was blown away by the 

hospitality of regional Australia.

“It was great to have Young as one of the stops along the ride,” Mark said.

“The generosity and support from James and Nell made the stop even more memorable.”

The support crew also made the time to stop at The Grove Estate winery to taste the local produce and were very impressed. 

And also happy to take a break from driving 25km an hour!

To donate to the Big Ride for Little Hearts and to help the team reach their goal of $50,000 for Heart Kids Australia, visit www.bigrideforlittlehearts.com

The Big Ride has been sponsored by Citroen and KFC.