100 Cyclists Riding or their lives - Tour De Freedom Tasmania

21st - 26th October 2006

On Saturday, 100 cyclists will depart Devonport for a 774km ride to Hobart to raise awareness of the life-changing work of ONE80TC, one of Australia’s most recognised and effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

The 100 recreational cyclists and two ONE80TC students will be available for a photo opportunity and interviews on Saturday when they will start the ride at: 10am, Gateway Centre, 100 Don Rd Devonport TAS.

The Bicycling Australia Challenge is an annual charity ride now in its 6th year, to raise support and funds for ONE80TC in its effort to restore the broken lives of young people overcoming drug and alcohol addictions. "We have made a commitment to raise 1 million dollars for ONE80TC" said Phil Latz from Bicycling Australia.

Michael was only 12 when he began using marijuana and speed and over the next five years went from playing football to doing crime to support a $150 a day ICE addiction. "I was in and out of rehab but no one ever gave me a good enough reason not to do drugs. But at ONE80TC I learned that I have a future and a hope and I don’t need them any more. I just want to get out there and play footy again and hopefully help other guys escape a life of addiction."

Whilst many lives are being transformed by the work of ONE80TC, the demand for places in the program continues to rise. With little government funding, it is the support of events such as the Bicycling Australia Challenge that enables ONE80TC to keep its doors open.

"Drug use is increasing and we are finding that more and more people are desperately looking for answers here at ONE80TC," Rhett Morris CEO of ONE80TC said "The ONE80TC program addresses the needs of the ‘whole person’ and focuses on rebuilding key foundations such as family relationships, work ethics, self image, peer pressure and community relationships, as well as directly addressing the lifecontrolling addictions of drugs and alcohol. The transformation in our graduates is remarkable, but we still have a long way to go before our job is done and events such as this are vital to ONE80TC continuing its work."

The Bicycling Australia Challenge will depart Devonport on 21st October and travel through Launceston, St Helens, Swansea, Richmond and arriving in Hobart on Tuesday 24th October. The event is proudly supported by Laing O’Rourke, Budget Car Rentals, Bicycling Australia, Endura and Events Tasmania.