In Australia, the tragedy of human slavery can seem a world away, but a bunch of bikies with big hearts are riding home a very important message and the nation's "first bloke" is among them
The inaugural Hagar Ride Against Slavery led by the First Bloke, Tim Mathieson. Riders will travel from Sydney via Sea Cliff Bridge to Kangaroo Valley. Picture: Brad Hunter Source: News Limited
The inaugural Hagar Ride Against Slavery led by the First Bloke, Tim Mathieson. Beginning with breakfast at Kirribilli House in Sydney, a group of motorcycle riders will travel down to Canberra via the Kangaroo Valley to raise funds for Hagar. Picture: Brad Hunter Source: News Limited
TIM Mathieson's bid to become First Biker came close to tragedy today when his motorcycle left the ground and crashed into a kerb.
"I thought he was gone. I genuinely thought he was gone," said television identity Greg Evans who was riding behind Mr Mathieson.
The partner of Prime Minister Julia Gillard was leading a run of 27 bikes from Kirribilli House in Sydney to The Lodge in Canberra to raise money for the charity, which fights slavery and helps its victims.
The two-wheeled trip between the Prime Minister's official residences raised more than $40,000 - enough to keep 60 Cambodian children in school for a year.
Tim Mathieson, the Prime Minister's partner, who crashed his motorcycle today on a charity ride. Picture: Malcolm Farr Source: News Limited
But it almost cost a 'First Bloke', who was taking his first major motorcycle ride in five years.
The ride was almost over when Mr Mathieson entered a round-about in outer Canberra and realised that he was not going to get his Triumph Thunderbird around the half circle. His right peg was scraping the road but he was still heading for the gutter.
"He hit the gutter and went in the air, and then his bike did a little fishtail in the air, and it hit the ground and went back down the gutter, fishtailed again and righted itself," Mr Evans told news.com.au.
"It was the closest thing. Evil Knievel, that's his new name."
Mr Mathieson was surprised he was able to tell the story:"I was sure it was going to end seriously."
He said:"Greg's face was red, he was shocked. The bike came down straight, onto the top of the gutter, and it followed the gutter and then went back down on the road."
Tim Mathieson, the Prime Minister's partner, who crashed his motorcycle today on a charity ride. Picture: Malcolm Farr Source: News Limited
Mr Mathieson is still promoting the Men's Sheds campaign for male health but has expanded his efforts to take in Hagar, whose operations in Cambodia he visited two weeks ago.
He corralled a range of donors for the bike ride, from the Eildon Boating Club, ACTU secretary Dave Oliver, Big Day Out chief executive Adam Zammit, and a church in Toowoomba.
When the 27 bikes arrived in the small town of Kangaroo Valley on the way to Canberra, the locals prepared a scones-and-cream afternoon tea, and passed the hat to raise $200. A service station just outside town, where most of the bikers refuelled, gave $120.
Estimates of the numbers of people in the global slavery traffic range from $21 million to $27 million, and the clear majority are in the Asa-Pacific region.
Hagar is spreading its operations to Afghanistan but most f its work is in Cambodia.
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