HANNA SLOAN
CARDZILLA, a prominent printing and design company based in Cairns, has been announced as the naming rights sponsor for the famous Cairns to Karumba (C2K) charity bike ride for the second year in a row.
The Cardzilla C2K is the longest event ride in Australia and raises money for the Cairns School of Distance Education Parents and Citizens Association (P&C), as well as the P&Cs of schools all along the 780km journey, to contribute to training and resources for rural and regional children.
As a dedicated supporter of local initiatives and charitable causes, Cardzilla is honoured to contribute to the success of this meaningful event.
Cardzilla co-owner Andrew Nakovics said he and co-owner Steve Bates have participated in the charity ride many times before and sponsored the event before opting to become the naming rights sponsor in 2023.
Apart from enjoying the bike ride, it’s such a worthy cause, supporting the education of kids out in the bush
Cardzilla co-owner Andrew Nakovics
“And we love meeting and supporting the local communities as the ride goes through the towns.”
Cardzilla are avid supporters of charitable causes and champions of the ‘locals supporting locals’ mentality.
The Cardzilla Cairns to Karumba charity bike ride attracts cyclists from across the globe who share a passion for cycling and philanthropy.
“We are proud to be associated with the Cardzilla C2K ride and to be giving back to the local community who support us,” Mr Nakovics said.
“The ride attracts people from all over, and it takes you from one sea to another – one coast of Queensland to another.”
The Cardzilla C2K will commence on 21 June and conclude on 28 June, with participants embarking on an unforgettable journey through the top of Australia.
Cardzilla C2K ride coordinator Helena McInnes said the ride would not be possible without the generosity of Cardzilla and other sponsors.
“The ride would not go ahead without the support of our wonderful sponsors, as well as each rider who raises a minimum amount of funding,” Ms McInnes said.
“That funding goes straight to the kids that we provide educational programs for through the P&Cs.
“The sponsors are essential for us to be able to do that work and to be affiliated with such a great, sound, local business as Cardzilla, is fantastic – we love having them as our naming rights sponsor for a second year.”
Cycling clubs often participate en masse in Cardzilla C2K, and this year a group of cyclists is travelling over from Japan to get involved.
“We’ve had a connection with Japan for about eight years, and for the riders to come over and see kangaroos in the wild as they ride through the outback is a bucket list item ticked off,” Ms McInnes said.
“In comparison to other charity bike rides, our riders meet the families along the way that we are raising the funds for – they come out and put on morning teas for the riders.
“We raise funds for educational experiences like robotics programs and drone technology, and for experts to come out and train the teachers in teaching that to the kids, with a focus on applications in farming – which is very relevant to kids living out in those regions.”
Cardzilla encourages members of the community to join in supporting the Cardzilla Cairns to Karumba charity bike ride by donating to the cause or participating in the event.
Registrations for riders are open until the 31st of May.
Local businesses looking to sponsor the ride are encouraged to register their interest on the Cardzilla C2K Bike Ride website.
Donations towards the cause are gratefully accepted until the 1st of July. You can donate to Team Cardzilla or to the ride as a whole.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Theatre tour delivers powerful safety message and $1,000 energy rebate for Queenslanders.
