“Big grins on our faces,” Inverell Scrapheap team member Brendon Campbell said.

The Scrapheap Adventure Riders returned home last week from the trip, and raised a significant amount for Down Syndrome NSW. 

“We raised over $20,000, the state raised over $65,000, so our team won the award for Best Fundraiser,” Brendon said.

“The next highest team, Sydney, raised $7000, and they have twice as many riders as us.”

Brendon effusively thanked everybody who had added to the charity and supported the Scrapheap team’s efforts for the state charity.

The first prize winner of the Inverell Scrapheap raffle was Sarah Allen, and Guy Schafer took home second prize, both with vouchers to Windsong Travel.

The team of 17 motorbike riders and their support crew of family and friends left Inverell for Urana on September 23 for the three day trip.

Once there, they spent the weekend with new and old friends, many with children with Down Syndrome.

It was a weekend family soccer and cricket matches, meals and fun.

Brendon’s family joined the ride and his daughter Emi debuted as an awards presenter with her friend Grace Gilsenan and her father Perry Gilsenan, who founded the Scrapheap Adventure Ride.

Inverell’s team added a few extra fun awards to their kitty.

“Andrew Blake, he engineered two bikes into one, he won a prize for Best-Engineered bike, Uncle Paul Bryant, he won Best Side Car,” Brendon said.

The big teddy that rode in the Paul’s sidecar was auctioned for $100 to add to the funds.

The original three Inverell riders, Mick O’Brien, Col Meacham and Phil Kimber, received the Scrapheap five-year-awards for their participation.

Brendon said it felt good to visit with other families who have children with Down Syndrome.

“Just talking to them about how they raise their families, not just that child, but how they raise their families and how it affects everybody, just nice to be on the same wavelength with other families,” he said.

Brendon felt it was a joy not only to see his daughter Emi with other children with Down Syndrome, but his children Ashleigh and Zac socialising with other siblings of children with Down Syndrome.

“Everyone has that same sort of connection,” he said.