MEDIA RELEASE

Enduring 1,000km over 4 Days for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation

Fundraising for the fourth KDF Millennium Ride, 78 EPIC Cyclist riders will put their perseverance to the test across Malaysia and Singapore

SINGAPORE, 7 FEBRUARY 2017 – While cycling is a leisure sport for most, a group of 78 cyclists will be channelling their favourite pastime activity into a benevolent cause.

On 3 – 6 March, 2017, these cyclists – part of the EPIC Cyclist group - will pedal their way in the annual KDF Millennium Ride, covering a distance of 1,000km over four days to secure funds for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF).

Since 2014, the yearly affair is organised by EPIC Cyclist, a local cycling group, and recognised to be one of the most mentally and physically challenging rides in the region. Participants are expected to withstand at least 9 hours of non-stop cycling to cover 250km each day through various terrains and battle unpredictable weather conditions.

“Our Epic Cyclists will face new and demanding challenges in the KDF Millennium Ride this year. They will be completing 1,000km through various terrains. The big challenge for this year is climbing equivalent of one Mount Everest in first 2 days of our ride over 470km. Challenges even for a pro-cyclist, but these are ordinary people making a commitment to do such a daunting task. The hours and the mileage each cyclist got to put in prior to the 4 Days is extensive. However, the obstacles our cyclists will encounter cannot be compared to the adversity dialysis patients go through daily. It is heartening to witness our cyclists putting in the effort to help raise funds for a good cause,” said Mr Clifford Lee, founder of Epic Cyclist.

Participants from all walks of life will rally together to support the good cause, including several civil servants, engineers, IT professionals, interior designers, mechanics, hairstylist, business owner, doctor and many more. The oldest cyclist is 64 years old and this will be his fourth year participating in the ride. There are also 8 female cyclists taking part this year.

Dr. Gordon Ku, Founder and Chairman of the Kidney Dialysis Foundation: “I am humbled and moved by the amount of commitment displayed by the Epic Cyclist group, and will cheer upon their safe arrival in Singapore.”

After matching the funds at 40% by Community Silver Trust, a total of S$590,634.53 was raised last year. Epic Cyclist is hopeful to raise at least $300,000 this year for the less fortunate patients suffering from kidney failure.  

All proceeds from the donations will be channelled to needy kidney patients under the care of Kidney Dialysis Foundation. Members of the public can donate via this link at https://www.giving.sg/kidney-dialysis-foundation/mride17. Both individual and corporate donors get a 2.5 times tax rebate if the donations are received by 31 Dec 2017.

KDF is a non-profit charitable organisation that provides subsidised dialysis treatment to needy members of our community. KDF is focused on a niche group of patients, who are from the lowest 10 per cent of the income group and referred by medical social workers from the restructured hospitals. Most of these patients – if employed - hold jobs such as cleaners, hawker assistants, store assistants and taxi drivers.

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For more information, request for interviews with the cyclists and images, please contact:

Epic Cyclist:

Adeline / Tracy

9662 2668 / 96923195]

[email protected] / [email protected]

SG Story for Epic Cyclist:

Bashirah Akhtar / Aaron Kong

9725 8788 / 9748 4729

[email protected] / [email protected]