The ‘Hot Chippies’ are on a massive 2600 km trip from Alexandra in Victoria to Townsville in Queensland to raise money for children with cystic fibrosis.

The idea is the brainchild of Steven & Sharon Hedger, owners of a local building company.

Sharon’s sister succumbed to the disease at 17years of age. This struck a chord with the builders, giving cause to the fundraising effort.

The Hot Chippies will mount ordinary ‘postie’ bikes for the nine-day journey, hoping to raise a total of $65,000.

Sharon and Neil Harrison of Transtank in Parkes are organising the local programme while the riders are in the area.

They will travel over from Forbes, arriving at about 5pm tomorrow. They invite locals to ride in with them to the Royal Hotel.

After checking in for an overnight stay at a caravan park, the visitors will return to the Royal Hotel for dinner and fund raising activities.

They will leave Parkes at 7.30am on Wednesday, stopping at The Dish on the way and arriving in Peak Hill at 9.15am before moving on to Dubbo.

So far, the beefy builders have raised close to $54,000 for research into the disease, giving up their evenings and weekends to attend fairs, trivia nights and bowling club events in their local areas.

“It’s such as worthy cause,” Sharon said.

“Children and adults with CF and their families face considerable financial, practical and emotional challenges. We want to raise awareness and to help find a cure so that others don’t have to go through what we’ve been through.”

Cystic fibrosis is the most common, life-threatening illness affecting Australian children. It is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines and causes progressive disability.

There is no cure for CF, and most individuals with cystic fibrosis die in their 20s and 30s, usually from lung failure. However, improvements in treatment are increasing and average life expectancy is now 38 years.

All money raised by the Hot Chippies will be given to the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust to help find a cure for the disease.

They encourage anyone who would like to sponsor a bike or make a donation to call Sharon on 0409 105 613.