Latest news with #ReeceMcDonald
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
‘A lot of emotions' as late ride organiser honoured
Olympic Gold medal winner Nathan Cohen, from Southland, Westpac regional manager Otago/Southland Phil Taylor and former All Black captain Richie McCaw will always remember the 2025 ride which honoured Reece McDonald, who dedicated years to organising the annual Queenstown to Invercargill Westpac Rescue Helicopter trust fundraiser. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD Fat raindrops disguised the tears streaking riders' faces on the Queenstown to Invercargill Westpac Rescue Helicopter fundraiser. Westpac regional manager Otago/Southland Phil Taylor said his 14th ride was a challenging day for everyone involved. Riders experienced exceptionally wet and cold conditions until they reached northern Southland. Riders wore black armbands emblazoned with "Reece" to honour former ride organiser Reece McDonald, who died unexpectedly in late 2024. "We missed him. He's certainly in our hearts and he was such a key part. We want to do his legacy proud ... he helped to build this. There are a lot of emotions around it. But we want that too, because we want to keep his memory there and its OK to be a wee bit tearful about it." Wensley Cycles owner Rob McMurdo, who provided mechanical support for the day, loved the camaraderie the ride had developed over the years. "I love being part of this group." While there were plenty of tears, "that's good because it helps [to] heal. It makes it special. It brings us together better. It's a really strong group." A pair of cleats and 20 punctures were the only casualties of the day. Media personality Paddy Gower joined the ride for a second time. "It was wet. It was dark. It was extremely cold ... all the way through Kingston and beyond. "I thought I was in for a hell of a day and then of course it just fined up, which is awesome. "There was so much energy in the ride today because of Reece McDonald ... It was fantastic to honour him: a man of the South who came up with solutions for the South." Gower used a drink bottle branded with Reece's name and company logo. "I was thinking about him the whole time. He was the one who got me into this." Former All Black captain and annual rider Richie McCaw said he was happy to join the ride again. "It's a great bunch of people ... and obviously for a great cause. "I've got to say, the first two or three hours in the rain and cold this morning, I was starting to question how good of an idea it was, but it came right. "The highlight is always going to and stopping at the schools — they were excited to see the bunch [of riders] come in." Olympic gold medal rower Nathan Cohen also joined the ride for a second time. After being raised in the South he appreciated the importance of the role the rescue helicopter played and was happy to help raise funds for the vital link to the region. "There's obviously a great bunch of people ... it's hard not to enjoy it just because of the enthusiasm and the energy that it brings," he said. He particularly loved the connection the ride had with the rural communities. "They're just real down to earth people ... everyone's very genuine." Messrs Cohen, McCaw, Gower, Taylor and McMurdo all expressed an interest in riding the event again in 2026. Mr Taylor expected the final fundraising effort to come to more than $100,000. By Toni McDonald
Otago Daily Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ride chasing huge target for Reece
The late Reece McDonald pictured during last year's annual Chopper Bike Ride. PHOTO: SUPPLIED There'll be an integral part of the annual Chopper Bike Ride missing from next month's 230km grunt from Queenstown to Invercargill, but participants will be carrying him with them. For more than a decade, Invercargill's Reece McDonald, a keen cyclist and business community leader, was a dedicated fundraiser for the Westpac Chopper Appeal and joint organiser of the Chopper ride — he participated in last year's event, before his unexpected death last October. To honour his contributions, this year riders will wear race shirts with built-in black armbands, emblazoned with 'Reece', during the May 9 event. Westpac NZ Otago and Southland regional manager Phil Taylor says McDonald knew first-hand how vital the rescue choppers are in our part of the country, requiring the life-saving support of a helicopter himself after a heart attack in 2019. "While it won't be the same without him, he'll be in our thoughts all the way. "It's going to be an emotional day, but we'll come together to celebrate Reece's contribution, share some stories and keep up his legacy." Included in the field this year will be first-timer former Black Stick Diana Te Awa — she'll be joined by one of her former team-mates, Gemma McCaw, who's returning this year along with her husband, former All Black captain Richie McCaw, 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning rower Nathan Cohen and broadcaster Paddy Gower. This year riders are aiming to raise a record $150,000 — all proceeds will go to the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART) to support the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service, which flew 2097 missions last year. LDART chairman Jules Tapper says it's "amazing" to see the growth of the event over the years, which has raised more than $1million since 2011, noting the momentum continues to grow. To donate, visit
