ANZAC trail 100km bike ride to mark 100th anniversary of Light Horse Brigade charge
The legendary charge of 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade near Beersheba on October 31, 1917 will be commemorated by a centennial memorial service and a 100km bike ride.
Eddy Shapiro shows ambassador Dave Sharma [l] the trail’s route with Danny Hakim watching
The Australian War Memorial describes the historical event: “The battle of Beersheba took place on 31 October 1917 as part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza. The final phase of this all day battle was the famous mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Commencing at dusk, members of the brigade stormed through the Turkish defences and seized the strategic town of Beersheba. The capture of Beersheba enabled British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line near Gaza on 7 November and advance into Palestine.”
The challenging 100 km mountain bike ride has drawn riders from Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and Turkey. Australia’s ambassador Dave Sharma joined organiser former Sydneysider Danny Hakim on a reconnaissance trip over the trail in preparing the ride.
Organised by the Budo for Peace non-profit organisation (http://budoforpeace.org/ ) as a fund-raising campaign for their Kids Kicking Cancer Program in Israel – http://www.kidskickingcancerisrael.org – this challenging ride (offered as 1-day or 2-days touring packages) will take participants along the remarkable and famous single-biking trail of Kibbutz Beeri to the outskirts of Beersheba, in an experience that integrates a host of festive and colourful events celebrating the 100 years’ anniversary for the legendary battle – including an actual re-enactment of the horse-back charge by Australian and New Zealand riders some of whom are family of the original Australians and New Zealanders who fought the battle 100 years ago.
All proceeds from this ride go directly to the Kids Kicking Cancer program in Israel, which runs empowerment programs designed to help hospitalised children with cancer and other serious diseases deal with their physical and emotional challenges.
Danny Hakim, Founder of Budo for Peace and Chairman of the Kids Kicking Cancer Israel Society, said: “We are greatly encouraged by the global interest in this special mountain—bike experience. As a both Israeli and Australian citizen, I am proud to be part of the 100-years’ celebration serving as an opportunity to promote the ANZAC spirit and our Heroes Circle in Kids Kicking Cancer program.”
Danny Hakim added: “Kids Kicking Cancer Israel is already operating in six hospitals throughout the country, and with the reinforced attention and funding we are about to bring relief and empowerment to many more children and their families facing the kind of challenge that comes with treating pediatric cancer and other chronic diseases”.
The 100 years’ anniversary of the ANZAC victory is the result of unique collaboration involving The Israeli Foreign Office, KKL, JNF, Beer Sheba municipality and other social and governmental organizations.
Over 90 Australian riders have already signed up for the challenging ride which has attracted riders from Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain & Turkey.
