Three hotel general managers joined 50 other big-hearted senior executives setting off on the Tour de Kids charity bike ride on Saturday February 27.

Matt Young, general manager of Crowne Plaza Canberra, Scott Hamilton, general manager of Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport and David Travers, general manager of Crowne Plaza Melbourne joined in on the ride, along with Andy Van Bergen, Crowne Plaza marketing manager, to raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The 1100-kilometre Tour de Kids ride takes participants across some of the steepest mountains in Victoria and New South Wales over seven days, ending in Sydney on Friday March 5.

 
At starting line on the steps of Crowne Plaza Melbourne are (left to right): Matt Young, GM, Crowne Plaza Canberra; Scott Hamilton, GM, Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport; Andy Van Bergen, marketing manager, Crowne Plaza; and David Travers, GM, Crowne Plaza Melbourne.

To train for the ride, participants cycle around 350 kilometres per week for at least 14 weeks prior.

In addition to participating, GMs of Crowne Plaza Canberra and Crowne Plaza Melbourne donated 25 guest rooms to the event, providing luxurious beds to the group of weary riders at key points of the ride.

“We welcomed the opportunity to work with other Crowne Plaza teams to support Tour de Kids and the Starlight Foundation – the initiative ties in really well with our active program of community involvement.” David Travers said.

“The fact that many of the team at Crowne Plaza Melbourne are keen cyclists provided an extra incentive to get involved.”

The funds raised ensure seriously ill children receive their once-in-a-life-time wish experience through the Starlight Children’s Foundation.