About 10,000 cyclists descended on the Illawarra’s coastal roads on Sunday, November 6 for the 40th MS Gong Ride.
It was the first time the fundraiser for Australians living with multiple sclerosis had been held since 2019.
Cyclists took on a 79km stretch from Tempe to Thomas Dalton Park in Wollongong or a 52km course from Engadine to Wollongong.
Chief Executive Officer of MS Plus John Blewonski said the 40th MS Gong Ride drew riders from all over the state.
“I think – apart from the fact that the participants are raising money for MS and to support the people living with the disease – it is, I suppose for the avid cyclist, it's one of those bucket-list events that you do,” John said.
“On top of [fundraising], you have the incredible location through the National Park, and it's just quite breathtaking.
“It's just so iconic, not only as an event, but just where you're riding. It's one of those unique experiences that people don't get at other times during the year [and] to be able to do it so safely, I think, is the key.”
More than $2.5 million had been raised for MS Plus as of Monday, November 7. John said the funds would greatly assist those living with the disease and help researchers continue to make strides in uncovering effective treatments for multiple sclerosis – with recent studies of myelin repair treatment proving promising for MS patients.
“MS affects about 25,000 Australians [and] is the most prolific neurological condition amongst young people. It's normally diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age, and it can manifest itself in many, many ways,” he said.
“We always say, because it's true, that no one person's condition is the same as the other.
“The good news is that through our research, we are making some fantastic inroads into the disease. We don't have a cure yet… [but] a diagnosis today is very different to what it would've been 20, 10, even five years ago.”
This year’s ride included, for the first time, a 7km All Abilities Ride staged in the heart of Wollongong. The team at MS Plus are excited at the prospect of making the inclusive event a staple of the MS Gong Ride.
“This year what we've done is we've partnered with The Disability Trust and Cycling Ability, which are well-known through the community, and we've worked with them to offer this 7km ride for people who normally couldn't participate,” John said.
“We've always been really keen to ensure that our events are inclusive – it's one thing to go and raise money for people living with a disability, it's another thing to be able to embrace them and get them or encourage them to be part of the event.
“We're really, really excited about that, and we hope that this becomes a feature of the ride from here on.”
Donations for the 2022 MS Gong Ride are still open. To donate or learn more about the event, visit the website
