The 30th anniversary Lions Ride for Sight runs from Friday March 22 to Sunday March 24, with all money raised going to fund CERA’s research into and treatment for eye diseases.

The first Lions Ride for Sight in 1994 saw participants ride from Mallacoota to CERA’s Melbourne office in over a 500 kilometre trek. This year’s event is 170km from Moe to Cowwarr and return.

The ride is supported each year by Lions Clubs across Gippsland.

Bob has had extensive treatment for uveitis – an inflammation of the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye.

An autoimmune illness led to Bob developing uveitis and arthritis, which are being treated at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

“In the past, it has caused blurred vision and inflammation inside my eyes,” he says.

“There have been complications. I have needed steroid injections in my eyes. I’ve had a detached retina and cataracts, but I still probably have 20/20 vision or better.

“The doctors at the Eye and Ear Hospital are heroes. I’ve been on clinical trials with CERA, and they got me off oral steroids as well, which is great. They were horrible – causing bloating, weight gain and increased heart rate.”

This year’s Lions Ride for Sight will be Bob’s fifth.

“I do it just out of respect for the Eye and Ear Hospital, the doctors, for CERA, and for awareness as well,” he says.

”After the first one, I joined Lions. Then, I started doing vision checks at schools. It’s a cause that’s close to my heart, obviously.”

Lions Clubs in Gippsland visit schools to perform basic eye checks on students. Anyone with a possible vision issue is referred to an optometrist. This is part of Lions Clubs’ work internationally to end preventable blindness.

Bob said he’s looking forward to this year’s Ride for Sight. “It goes to Cowwarr, which is my home town,” he says laughing.

“Just catching up with people from last year will be good. We always seem to have a drink afterwards. Before I did the first one, I didn’t realise how relaxed it was.”

Supporting the cause

There are two ways to support the Lions Ride for Sight.

Participants can enter the Ride for Sight from March 22 to 24 with a $70 entry fee. They must raise a minimum of $400 in sponsorship.

Or, riders can enter the Ride with a Difference, where riders pay $30 to enter and nominate the number of kilometres they aim to ride anywhere across the month of March to raise a minimum of $250 in sponsorship.

Riders will meet at the Moe Community Groups Hub at 4pm on Friday, 22 March, enjoy a group dinner at participants’ cost and an after-dinner presentation from a CERA representative on CERA’s work. They ride for Cowwarr on Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon.

Lions Clubs from Moe, Heyfield and Latrobe Wellington (Toongabbie) provide all other meals, with other clubs and volunteers assisting.

To join the Ride for Sight or Ride with a Difference, or to support the riders, find out more on the event’s Raisley page.

For enquiries, email paul.drinkwater@aussiebroadband.com.au or phone 0450 260 679.

Media enquiries: Jamie Duncan, Ride for Sight Media Coordinator – 0417 377 617, JDwritesalot@gmail.com