An all-women motorbike group will face Australia’s toughest outback track to raise funds for Dolly’s Dream.
The All Women Simpson Desert Crossing (AWSDC) will take to the red sands of the Australian outback challenging their mental and physical strength over four tough days as part of Do It For Dolly Day on Friday, 13 May.
In 2019, 12 brave women made history by successfully traversing Australia’s Simpson Desert on motorbikes, in what has become an annual charity event in partnership with Dolly’s Dream to take a stand against childhood bullying and cyberbullying.
Plans are made to improve Katherine’s bike path network over the next 10 years.
This year the women will travel from Birdsville, Queensland to Mount Dare in South Australia, aiming to contribute $80,000 following their pioneer sisters’ track over the past three years.
Annual rider and group co-organizer Kimberly Kilic said the event was challenging and like no other.
“Sand is an unusual surface to ride on. It can feel like water under a bike and it’s about allowing yourself to move along the sand, not fighting it but using the speed of the motorbike ,” said Ms Kilick.
“You have to be alert and oriented the whole time and we can ride up to 120km in a day. It’s exhausting, it’s boiling and we’re on bikes for 80 percent of the ride.”
Twelve women will take on the challenge, aiming to raise $10,000. Photo supplied.
With both organizations focusing on rural Australia, Ms Kilick said Dolly’s Dream was the perfect donation to raise money for an LGBTIQ-friendly riding group, in which many members of the group had experienced bullying themselves.
“We ride to show that women who support and lift each other up, rather than bully and degrade others, are able to move forward in life and achieve better outcomes…and we Let’s raise funds to make a real change for generations to come.” said Ms. Kilic.
“We accept each other’s differences and we support each other in one of the most brutal terrain in Australia. We ride as a team, we rally around each other And set the pace for the person who is struggling to set an example of inclusion and support.
“Dolly’s message ‘Speak up even when your voice trembles’ is very relevant during this emotionally and physically difficult journey. I’ve been shown over and over again during this ride that people don’t know what you’re doing unless You don’t tell them. When you share your voice it means the group can come to you and support you to share the load of the journey.”
Several initiatives are underway, including a free mental health support line with trained counselors from Do It For Dolly Day’s funds, said Dolly’s mother and charity co-founder Kate Everett, adding that contributions from riding AWSDC will make lifelong impacts to future generations. protects from. There is bullying – both in childhood and well into adult life.
The team will ride for four days to raise funds and awareness for Dolly’s dream. Photo supplied.
“These extraordinary women have had a huge impact on Dolly’s dream. Their strength, determination and commitment to helping us end bullying forever is awe-inspiring,” said Ms. Everett.
“All funds raised from Do It for Dolly Day go toward building a compassionate community by changing behavior around bullying. This includes supporting our online Anti-Bullying Workshop for students, parents, and teachers.”
Technology is constantly evolving, and the landscape with which children communicate and change with it, Ms. Everett said, was the attitude and culture that the organization wanted to change.
“We work hard to continually update and develop critical bullying prevention and online safety programs for children, families, schools and communities across Australia, with the goal of ultimately creating a cultural change where kindness and compassion for each other are shared. Compassion is the new norm.”
Established in memory of Dolly Everett, who took her life at the age of 14 after an extended period of bullying and cyberbullying, Dolly’s Dream’s annual Do It For Dolly Day aims to prevent and raise awareness of all forms of bullying. To empower and educate the community. about its devastating effects.
