Whitehaven Wine Company supports Neonatal Trust fundraiser

Whitehaven Wine Company is throwing its support behind an endurance challenge in Marlborough’s GrapeRide - the biggest cycling event in the South Island.

Amongst the 2500 competitors will be the chair of the Neonatal Trust, Eugene Collins, who’ll cycle the 101km course a staggering five times in preparation for an even larger challenge ahead. Eugene is preparing for the Ride 4 Life, two weeks after the GrapeRide, when he will attempt a solo non-stop time trial from Auckland to Wellington, a distance of 650km, to raise money for the Neonatal Trust.

A support crew from Whitehaven will be keeping Eugene safe and supplying necessary supplements throughout the 20+ hours he expects to take for the Grape Ride, cycling throughout Friday night, April 1, and finishing mid-morning Saturday, April 2.

Whitehaven managing director Sue White says she’s happy to be able to offer Whitehaven’s assistance to Eugene on the Grape Ride as it’s such a worthwhile charity that does fantastic work but it’s not as high-profile as some other national causes and doesn’t always get the support it deserves.

She says the people behind the Neonatal Trust are all committed to making a difficult start to life that little bit easier for premature babies and their families, and most - like Eugene - have had first-hand experience with children being cared for in the Neonatal units of our hospitals.

“Whitehaven Wine Company is a family-owned winery and just now we have staff with young babies here or on the way so we’re pleased to help this cause,” she says.

Follow Eugene’s progress on the ride at www.ride4life.co.nz as his progress will be updated throughout the journey.