Events set to raise cash for police officer

Teams in the Gibb River Road Challenge will be riding for a cause close to the heart of the Kimberley this year.

Half the funds raised at the charity event in May will go towards the family of Constable Ryan Marron, 30, who contracted Murray Valley encephalitis while on a two-week relief stint in Balgo last year.

Const. Marron arrived at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago last week for two months of treatment expected to cost at least $800,000.

The State Government has donated $400,000, and his family have raised $250,000. First-class Constable Dave Groenenberg from the PCYC Gibb River Riders said not only would the event be fundraising for Mr Marron’s recovery but his team would also hold a special golf day this month in support of the cause.

He said many people in the Kimberley would understand the tragedy of being struck down by a disease like MVE, which is carried by mosquitoes.

“I would suggest people have a think about what things would be like if this happened to them,” Const. Groenenberg said.

“Regardless of the fact he is a police officer, we all feel for his situation.”

He said even when the target of $800,000 was reached, WA Police and Police Legacy would continue to rally support behind Const. Marron, his wife and family, who may need ongoing assistance.

Presented by Team PCYC, the four-ball Ambrose on Sunday, April 29 will kick off with a shotgun start at 12.30pm, and will feature a $20,000 hole-in-one prize, donated by Phoenix Insurance.

The cost per player is $50 or $200 per team, including food during the day.

Nominations can be registered at Broome PCYC or Broome Police Station. For more information call Dave on 0409 977 507 or PCYC on 9192 1655