Spinning their wheels for charity, the efforts of almost 200 cyclists will help residents at Armidale Hospital's Palliative Care Unit breathe a little easier, with the donation of a portable oxygen concentrator.
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The Armidale School's outgoing Head of School Alan Jones recently presented the machine to Kim Taylor from the Palliative Unit.
It was purchased with funds raised by the cyclists during the TAS 100 cycle classic last term.
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The TAS event came into being after the cancellation of this year's Tour de Rocks created a void for the school community to both engage in a physical challenge that qualified for the School's Triple Crown award, while raising funds for a good cause.
Challenge and Service Coordinator Jim Pennington devised a 100km circuit that took in the autumnal beauty of the New England while also being both challenging and safe for riders of all ages, with the picturesque Gostwyck Chapel at the centrepiece.
One hundred and four students were joined by 21 parents, 10 staff and 43 members of the TAS/Tour de Rocks community for the 100km journey.
The youngest rider was Year 6 student Hamish Pengilley, and the most senior, current TAS grandparent Malcolm Ross, was aged in his mid-70s.
In addition, 15 junior school students, their parents and Head of Junior School Ian Lloyd, rode the 14km stretch from Gostwyck Chapel to Uralla.
"TAS has always believed that challenge and service go together," the school's Challenge and Service Coordinator Jim Pennington, said.
"Encouraging and supporting people to go out of their comfort zone builds resilience and better prepares challenges for the life ahead - but part of that is also about building a sense that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves and should be mindful of those less fortunate than ourselves.
"The machine will help improve the quality of life of patients at the unit and it is wonderful that we were able to support such an important local facility," he said.
Mr Jones said the level of participation from riders as well as those supporting them "affirms our belief in the strength of relationships within our community and the importance of providing opportunities outside the classroom for our students."
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