TWENTY-eight teams cycling through the night is the goal of fund-raiser Spin 4Bryn.
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The January 31 event aims to get teams pedalling for 24 hours on AquaZone’s 28 exercise bikes.
The event will raise money to help buy a $20,000 specialised bicycle for Bryn Murfett that will help with his rehabilitation from paralysis caused by an overseas road accident.
The bicycle will use electrodes attached to Mr Murfett’s leg muscles to help him in his quest to walk again.
Spin 4Bryn co-organiser Barry Warren joked it was one of the few times “that sitting on your bum can make a difference to someone’s life”.
Trophies will be awarded to the team that pedals the most kilometres during the 24 hours and to the team that raises the most money.
Eleven teams have registered so far, with room for 17 more, but teams are asked to register by the end of this week if possible.
Mr Warren, a Warrnambool City Council employee who used to work with Bryn’s dad Murray, said at least three council teams had entered.
The big show of support for the event from city staff members had prompted a challenge between council departments, with a trophy awarded to the group clocking up the most kilometres.
Mr Warren, who is also the president of the Warrnambool Veterans Cycling Club, said his club had got behind the event and entered a team.
Mr Warren will take part in a family team.
AquaZone has also entered a team and its services manager Ray Smith said it hoped to recruit more from among the hundreds of people who took part in its daily bike spin classes.
The number of riders in a team is unlimited.
“Riders can do it for 15 minutes if they like, come back later and do another 15 minutes,” Mr Warren said.
Team entry is $250 and members are encouraged to also raise money to support their effort.
Mr Warren said the event was a great team-building opportunity for businesses and pre-season fitness preparation for sports clubs.
The event is part of the 4Bryn appeal that aims to raise $100,000 to help Mr Murfett recover from serious injuries suffered when he was involved in a road accident in Thailand last August.
The 29-year-old has incomplete paraplegia with a severely damaged spinal cord and has no feeling from the waist down.
Presently confined to a wheelchair, he wants to build upon the uncontrolled spasms in his legs that indicate messages are trying to get through from his brain and spine.
His brother and appeal chairman Rohan Murfett said Bryn was determined to walk again.
Spin 4Bryn will start at 6.30pm on Friday, January 31, and finish at 6.30pm the following day. People interested in registering a team can contact Mr Warren on bwarren@warrnambool.vic.gov.au or 0478 313 493.