Hundreds turn out for Rotary’s Tour of the Blackwood charity bike ride

About 400 competitors battled through rain, lightning and sunshine to take part in the fifth annual Rotary Tour of the Blackwood on Saturday. The charity ride is held each year to raise money for youth mental health and works hand in hand with the Blackwood Youth Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation which helps marginalised and at-risk youth in the Warren-Blackwood area. Blackwood Tour Committee chair Mike Fletcher said the 2022 ride had raised more than $50,000, all of which would be donated to youth mental health. Mr Fletcher said due to the COVID-19 protocols every participant had to be double-vaccinated and the usual celebrations and presentations afterwards were scrapped. However, Mr Fletcher said he was still “very thrilled” with how the day turned out and the support it garnered. “It is not a competition, it is a ride and our main focus is on fundraising,” he said. “We are only able to do this because our volunteers and sponsors get right behind us and we’re already really looking forward to 2023.”