A total of $8500 was donated at a fund-raising dinner in Warrnambool on Wednesday night when Warrnambool riders Jason Hill and Mark Powell stopped in the city during their 1200 kilometre journey from Adelaide to Melbourne.

"It's an extraordinary amount," Mr Hill said.

"We had about 120 people there and we raised a lot of money.

"We're so thankful to the community and the support they have shown."

The cyclists teamed up with Sydney men Justin Nelson, Derek Borg and Frank Malloy plus support driver John Palamara for the ride which began in South Australia on Sunday.

Wild weather, swooping magpies and fatigue are among the many challenges the group has faced but Mr Hill said it had been a worthwhile trip.

A number of items donated by south-west businesses were auctioned off during the Wednesday night community dinner, but Mr Hill said a large number of cash donations from businesses, community groups and individuals contributed to the huge fund-raising total.

Initially aiming to purchase two portable oxygen machines for Royal Melbourne Hospital's palliative care unit and donate funds to the Peter's Project appeal for an integrated cancer-care centre, Mr Hill said the huge amount of money raised meant extra equipment could be donated.

He said three machines could now be purchased with a fourth machine to be donated by the manufacture.

The cyclists left Warrnambool early yesterday and were aiming to spend the night in Lorne before arriving in Melbourne tomorrow.