THE countdown is on to the 2019 Alive and Well on Farms Ride for the Chopper, after the event's official launch in Tamworth.
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The major fundraiser for the Tamworth-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is set to takeoff from Tamworth on September 13, bound for Coffs Harbour.
From there, more than 60 riders, together with about a dozen or so support crew, will ride their way back home over seven days, through many towns along the coast and over the Great Dividing Range.
Sponsors, riders and stakeholders gathered at the Calala Inn on Wednesday morning for the launch of the ride.
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Westpac chopper ride organiser, Tamara Ferguson, said the numbers were looking good, despite the crippling drought.
Some usual riders have had to abandon the ride - which is set to entail about 550km on the bike in seven days - because of the drought but plenty more have signed up to take part.
"The numbers are looking really good with close to 65 riders and 10 support crew raising money in the lead up to the ride next week," she said.
"These are locals, as well as riders from Sydney, the Coffs Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and everywhere in between."
It won't be an easy ride, the riders are in for about 550km on the bike across the seven days, riding from Coffs Habour to Valla Beach, South West Rocks, Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Walcha then onto Tamworth.
"Every kilometre they peddle, they're doing their bit to ensure no one ever has to pay to use the Westpac Rescue Helicopter," Miss Ferguson said.
"We have a lot of new riders joining the event this year which is great, because we know it's a popular event, that continues to grow every year."
The riders will take off on September 13, and arrive back in Tamworth at the Calala Inn on the afternoon of September 20 - no doubt a little tired and weary.
Riders are still taking donations in the lead-up to the event. Anyone wishing to donate can do so on the ride's official gofundme page.
