THE family of a former Bendigo cyclist who passed away suddenly in 2019 have launched an annual grant program to honour his memory.
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Ron Kopp was the proprietor of Bendigo's successful Golden Bean drive through coffee stores. He died in December 2019 at the age of 53 years.
Ron was an avid cyclist in the Bendigo region and a staunch advocate for giving a helping hand to young athletes in their development and progress towards their sporting aspirations, whatever they may be.
The memorial grants program has been established at the request of Ron's family as a way of remembering his life and recognising his wishes to assist young people.
Local businessman and long-time cyclist Sandy Agnoletto said Ron had been an incredibly popular member of Bendigo's close knit cycling community, and a person who he was proud to have called a friend.
"Ron would always do what he could to help anyone who needed it - either on or off the bike, and he was also a man of great integrity and honesty," Mr Agnoletto said.
Fellow rider Leon Yeates said Ron would always be remembered for the way he lived his life according to his strong values, for his dedication to his family and for his love of cycling.
"We all have so many wonderful memories of Ron as the bloke who would take on the toughest challenges - and succeed, and as someone who worked so hard at everything he did, and these grants are a great way for all of us to remember him and to help honour his memory," Mr Yates said.
The grants are primarily aimed at helping young cyclists to overcome barriers to them meeting their cycling aspirations.
Organisers are quick to point out, it is not necessarily targeted at elite athletes or indeed even about cycle racing, but rather, participation in the sport and the athlete's development. Grants could be used for cycling equipment or adaptation, transport or event entry, coaching or rehabilitation.
People up to the age of 18 years in the year of the grant can apply by simply emailing an application to ronishelping@gmail.com which sets out the athlete's background and their cycling aspirations, and how a grant of up to $2000 will help them to overcome identified barriers in meeting their aspirations.
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A small committee of Ron's cycling friends will judge the applications received, making a recommendation to Ron's family to ensure the award is consistent with the philosophy behind the grants.
It is not essential that the athlete themselves prepare the grant application. Any member of the community may prepare an application on behalf of a young cyclist. The grant will be awarded on the impact that the grant will make, rather than the quality of the application itself.
Announcement of the successful applicant will be made public, and all applicants will be advised of the results. The inaugural grant application process is now underway, and close on January 31, 2022, with the recipient advised shortly after.
Applications and questions can be sent to ronishelping@gmail.com or phone Geoff on 0414 414 020.
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