By LIA SPENCER
BEARDED friends are preparing to go the distance on their postie bikes to raise funds and awareness for disadvantaged children.
Narre Warren North man Phil Cerbu, 23 and his 20-year-old Queensland mate Anthony (Tony) Tutuian, will spend 36 days riding almost 8000km, 3000kms on dirt roads, during the trip across Australia to raise funds for child rights organisation Save the Children.
The long-time friends will leave from Mr Cerbu’s home in Narre Warren North on 14 June, riding inland through Mildura, Alice Springs and Mount Isa to Normanton on the Gulf of Carpentaria, before tracking back to Brisbane – Mr Tutuian’s hometown – along the coast on 19 July.
The duo have dedicated their trip to raising funds for Save the Children, who work in more than 100 locations around Australia and 120 countries worldwide, providing education, health and protection for vulnerable children.
Mr Cerbu said he wanted to have a big ride with real purpose, and chose to travel on a postie bike after visiting Vietnam last year.
“When I was in Vietnam I bought a little cheap Vietnamese motorbike for $200 and it was similar to a postie bike,” he said.
“When I came back to Australia, Tony and I decided to do a trip. I bought a postie bike to feel like I was back in Vietnam and Tony bought one too.”
Mr Cerbu said they chose to dedicate their ride to a worthy cause.
“I spent a lot of time travelling overseas and one thing that stuck out is how older people can determine their own future, but children can’t. I did a lot of volunteering overseas with developing kids,” he said.
“When we were looking for a charity to support for this ride, I came across Save the Children who do a lot of work overseas and in Australia and thought it had to be a cause worthy of my support.”
The friends decided to grow beards in anticipation of their trip and as a marketing ploy.
“The beards are a good platform to promote the trip,” he said.
“Everyone who sees our beards is asking about what we are growing them for and we tell them about the trip and how they can support Save the Children.”
To follow the bearded posties on Facebook, visit facebook.com/beardedposties. To donate, visit give.everydayhero.com/au/BeardedPosties
