Charitable bike enthusiasts will take to the streets in the HydSol Heat cycling team to raise money for the MASP Kokoda Youth Mentoring Program.

The program aims to give disengaged and disadvantaged youth a chance to re-connect with mainstream education, employment, family, the community and to reach their full potential.

Community development manager Mark Ross said the HydSol Heat cycling team starts training on Sunday.

“The team’s major naming sponsor is Hydraulic Solutions in Mildura and our aim is to raise enough money to send one young person to Kokoda,” he said.

“Each rider raises funds by seeking donations from local businesses and organisations.

“We will ride in three rides this year: Tour de Murray in March, Murray to Moyne in March/April and Port to Port in November.”

Mildura youth Romona Finna, 15, said participating in last year’s Kokoda mentoring program helped transform her life.

“It was the most incredible experience of my whole life,” she said.

“It’s life-changing and has helped me make good decisions for myself – I’d love to do it again as a mentor. To see how they live over there (in Papua New Guinea) daily and compare it to what we do is amazing.

“We need money to get us there and back and for our equipment: backpack, waterbottle, shoes and hydralites.”

MASP’s Youth Mentoring Program co-ordinator, Ken Innes, said it costs about $5000 to send a young person to Kokoda.

“It is an opportunity to help young people in the community with mentoring support – all money raised goes towards the mentees,” he said. “This will also help fund vaccinations needed for Kokoda.”

People who wish to get involved with the HydSol team and businesses who wish to donate cash or goods to MASP’s Kokoda mentoring program can contact Mark Ross on 5021 6507.

This article appeared in Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 28/01/2012.