Old high school mates ride together again to raise funds for Cancer Society

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

Two long-time friends who always wanted to enter the Coast to Coast have finally made that journey – but sitting down the whole way.

North Cantabrians Douglas Moody and Gary Cassidy joined more than 240 other scooter riders on Saturday for this year's Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari, raising funds for the Cancer Society.

The pair have been friends since starting Kaiapoi High School together as 3rd formers in 1980 – 42 years ago.

Moody, based in Loburn, and Cassidy, based in Rangiora, said they were keen to help support the Cancer Society’s work in the region.

“Growing up together, we had always wanted to enter the Coast to Coast as a team,” Moody said.

“Little did we know, eventually we would fulfil that dream albeit sitting down.”

Moody said the trip - which began in Canterbury and traversed the Southern Alps to end in Hokitika - went well, despite the weather.

"Of the six safaris I have taken part in, this was probably the most difficult in terms of weather over the course of the day. We had it all from challenging winds, rain, cold temperatures, and snow on the ground.

"Had we been scheduled to ride the day earlier, we likely wouldn’t have gotten through."


He hoped to raise $2500 towards the overall goal of raising $350,000 this year.

Donations can still be made to scootersafari.org.nz...