THE Pedal for Pat 285 kilometre mountain bike ride has raised more than $45,000 for three groups that support children with cancer - far surpassing the original $30,000 fundraising goal.
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The fundraising ride was organised by the Everingham family to pay tribute to four-year-old Patrick, who succumbed to cancer this year, and to raise funds for Little Wings, Bear Cottage and Ronald McDonald House-Westmead; the organisations that helped the family following Patrick being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in July 2013.
The loveable red-head started radiation treatment almost immediately at Ronald McDonald House at Westmead and in order to keep his life as normal as possible Little Wings offered to fly Pat and his family free of charge from Tamworth to Sydney every week.
Despite putting up the fight of his life, he passed away six months later, on January 11.
In his final days, Bear Cottage provided a place for Pat, sister Olivia and his Wauchope-raised parents Emma and Richard Coombes to be together.
The group of 20 riders who set out from Wauchope last week included Pat's grandfather Rod Everingham and uncles Mat and Josh Everingham.
After starting the ride on Thursday, they stopped at Gingers Creek, Walcha and Kootingal before reaching Manilla on Sunday.
All the riders made the destination in one piece and really enjoyed the experience, Patrick's grandmother Denise Everingham said. "They loved it," she said, "It was a fun and really rewarding ride."
Some of the riders' and family members' children joined the ride for the final five kilometres.
To donate to Pedal for Pat phone Melanie Everingham on 0429 150 143 or email mjeveringham@bigpond.com.