“This is an outstanding result and I would like to extend my gratitude to all the riders and the Lions Clubs in Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula who have supported CERA for the past 25 years,” says Dr van Wijngaarden.

Lions Ride for Sight organiser Nina Blythe and Lions District 201V3 are proud to have supported CERA’s research for the past 25 years.

“Back in 1994, the Lions Club based in Gippsland, held a bicycle ride from Mallacoota to Melbourne and has held a ride each year travelling over a variety of routes throughout Gippsland,” says Blythe.

“Since the ride began we have cycled over 9,000 km for eye research, that’s like travelling from Melbourne to Broome and back!”

This year, riders travelled from Tidal River to Foster, then onto Wonthaggi, San Remo, and Korumburra, unfortunately having to abandon the final day’s ride into Inverloch due to torrential rain and wind making the course unsafe.

CERA staff member Tanya Pejnovic completed the epic journey with her son Stefan. “The highlights were the beautiful scenery, the great camaraderie, and not to mention the wonderful home cooking from the Lion’s groups that hosted us along the way.”

The Lions District 201V3 President presented the cheque for $65,000 to Research Fellow Dr Isabel Lopez Sanchez on October 13. The money raised this year will go towards supporting CERA’s Neurodegeneration researchers, Dr Lopez Sanchez and Associate Professor Ian Trounce.