Frank Bunce, left, Carlos Spencer, Andrew Summerville, and Josh Kronfeld. PHOTO/KAREN COLTMAN
Riding for Life Flight Trust
KAREN COLTMAN
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Three former All Blacks riding Harley Davidson motorbikes, three Ferraris, and two Dodge Rams roared into the Masterton Pak’nSave car park on Wednesday.
Carlos Spencer, Frank Bunce, and Josh Kronfeld are on a road trip fundraising for the Life Flight Trust.
Pak’nSave Masterton owner Andrew Summerville is a sponsor of the medical emergency helicopter service.
“I was in straight away when I was approached about sponsoring the rescue service and have signed up for four years,” Summerville said.
“It really is used rather a lot around here, and we all probably know of someone who has needed it. It is a lifesaver,” he said.
The ride is part of ‘The Hick Group Ride for Champions’ organised by Mark Cole of the Hick Group.
More than 530 people had tickets to attend yesterday’s Hick Group charity luncheon in Wellington.
The Iron Maiden 883 Harley Davidson that Frank Bunce rode from Auckland is to be auctioned at the luncheon.
Masterton man Chris Kilford made a beeline to Bunce as soon as he had his motorbike gear off.
He said he had watched him on TV playing rugby but most recently on the TV3 programme Match Fit.
But he had never spoken to him and said, “he is a great bloke, and it was great to meet him in person”.
Kronfeld said the ride from Hawke’s Bay on Thursday was good, but he struck a cold patch just before Dannevirke so was pleased Masterton’s weather warmed him up.
“I love Harleys and am an ambassador for them as well as for the lifesaving helicopter service,” Kronfeld said.
“I love my Road Glide with the large saddlebags.”
He has travelled around America on a Harley.
George Bain, 82, is very keen on the motorbikes too.
“Harleys are magnificent bikes with no expense spared,” Bain said.
Spencer has finished a season as a coach for the Hurricanes and was spending time with his wife Jodene and two teenage children in Hamilton before his next job.
He said his 16-year-old son Paton was showing sporting promise in rugby and cricket.
After posing for photos with a group of special needs residents, the nine bikes in total started up, and with the Dodge Rams and Ferraris, headed off in a convoy towards Wellington.
Life Flight is a charity that provides emergency air rescue and ambulance services across New Zealand.
Since 1982, the trust has helped more than 30,000 people.
- Donations can be made on Life Flight Trust’s website or at Masterton Pak’nSave.
