Law enforcers ride 1000km from Albany Regional Prison in Porridge Bikers group to raise money for children
A group of law enforcers put down their batons last week to go on a 1000km expedition with a noble mission.
Twenty-four prison officers, ex-prison officers and police officers spent three days travelling on motorbikes from Albany Regional Prison to Bunbury, shaking collection tins and selling merchandise to raise money for the children of the Great Southern.
The Porridge Bikers — named after the 70s British sitcom — set off from ARP on Thursday, riding through Pardalup Prison, Bridgetown, Bunbury, Gnomesville, Margaret River, Nannup, Pemberton, Northcliffe and Walpole before circling back to ARP.
Camera IconThe 24-strong crew left a biker representative at Gnomesville. Credit: Supplied
The group began in 1999 with participants making the trek on bicycles, but paused for the last two years so prison officer Aaron Coldren decided to rejuvenate the charitable ride, swapping out muscle power for horsepower.
“It went really great, without a hitch,” he said.
“Throughout the years, we’ve seen less people riding pushbikes at the prison and it had been stagnant for a few years.
“I brought up the idea of bikes and got huge interest which is great because we need a reasonable amount of numbers to go ahead with it.
“It’s been totally revitalised so you can start at and end back at the prison and not some random place like Lake Grace.”
Mr Coldren, who organised the event alongside Jason Jozwiak and Scott Rudkin, said the group will use the money raised from the ride (an estimated $1500) and other fundraising ventures to provide for “real kids’ needs” in the community.
Camera IconThe group covered 1000km in three days. Credit: Aaron Coldren
“Once we tally it up, we sit down and go OK, who needs what,” he said.
“When we say we fundraise for the kids of the Great Southern we mean we actually go out and have a look who needs what so it’s a needs-based thing every time.
“We’ve helped with Spencer Park Primary School upgrades, we’ve bought hospital beds, it could be anything.
“If you donate to a big charity the money gets chewed up in admin fees, so we want to make sure that the money actually does change a kid’s life.”
Mr Coldren thanked Clark Tyres for providing the support vehicle and trailer, Albany Motorcycles for servicing the bikes and Reece Plumbing for their donations.
The next fundraising event will be a Porridge Derby, hosted at the ARP staff amenities on November 23.
Anyone wanting to donate can contact the ARP on 9842 4444 and ask for the social club.
Camera IconThe Porridge Bikers shook their tins at the towns they visited. Credit: Aaron Coldren
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