Team Beanz gears up for Sydney to the Gong bike ride fundraiser

Look out for the Heinz jerseys in the MS Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride on Sunday 1 November.

Led by Murray de la Motte, Label and Packaging Supervisor at Heinz Wagga Wagga, Team Beanz is a group of five friends with a passion for cycling who have joined forces to raise money for this worthy cause.

This annual event is Australia’s biggest fundraiser for people with multiple sclerosis and aims to raise $2.5 million for research and support services. MS Australia supports people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervous system that affects more young adult Australians than any other neurological condition.

Team Beanz has been training for three months to complete the 90 kilometre ride from Sydney Park, through the Royal National Park, to Wollongong. This year’s event has sold out, with a total of 10,000 people set to hit the road for MS Australia.

Team leader Murray de la Motte says the event will be a huge challenge but one the team is looking forward to.

"We originally started riding because it was just another way for us blokes to get out and bond that doesn’t involve sitting around at a pub," Murray explains.

"There are plenty of races out there but we really wanted to do the Sydney to the Gong because not only do we get to ride as a team, but we also get to raise money for a good cause," he says.

Team Beanz aims to raise $2,500 for MS Australia. The total amount raised by Team Beanz will then be matched dollar by dollar by Heinz Australia through its Help@Hand community fundraising program for employees.

Murray is urging people to open their wallets for MS Australia.

"It's so easy to donate to a rider or a team like Team Beanz, just go to the Sydney To The Gong website at and follow the links," he says.