KEY POINTS:
Olympian Bevan Docherty was at the back of the race yesterday, as a couple of youngsters put in a heartier effort.
Georgia MacKenzie, 11, and Kaleb Boyce, 9, were among the heart kids who got to ride with the triathlon silver and bronze medallist at Les Mills in Auckland, in the lead-up to the Heart2Heart 160km cycle challenge next month.
Organised by Heart Children New Zealand, the annual challenge brings more than 10,000 people to Taupo ready to ride for a good cause.
Docherty, who will this year be riding in his third Heart2Heart challenge, has been a popular and inspiring leader for many children connected to the cause, said events co-ordinator Liz Beck.
"They had a great time. He brought along his medal [and] he chats with them and he's a role model for those kids. Not many famous people come out but he does - he's a great supporter."
Ms Beck acknowledged that many of the children who ride in the challenge are heart kids.
"Twelve children every week are born with a heart defect and nine children every week have open heart surgery," she said. "There's a 3-year-old riding and he's had three heart surgeries already. These kids - they're out there riding for kids like them."
The challenge will take place on November 29. To make a donation, go to www.heartchildren.org.nz or call 0900-4-HEART to make an automatic $20 donation.
