FEDERAL Member for New England Barnaby Joyce is looking forward to the annual Pollie Pedal peloton travelling through the western edge of the New England Electorate early next week.

The Pollie Pedal is a charity bike ride that first took place in 1998 when the Prime Minister Tony Abbott gathered a number of politicians to come together to undertake this ride and raise money for charity.

Since its inception, the Pollie Pedal has raised more than $3 million to benefit various charities including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Ronald McDonald House, The Manly Women's Shelter and Carers Australia.

Carers Australia will be the chief beneficiary of the Pollie Pedal in 2014.

The 2014 Pollie Pedal will travel more than 1,000 kilometres between 10 and 17 August, from Moree to Penrith in western Sydney.

“It will visit towns in the New England Electorate and along with both raising awareness and fundraising for worthy causes as a grassroots event, Pollie Pedal also provides a great opportunity to inform and engage with local carers and communities along the way,” Mr Joyce said.

“The support provided by Pollie Pedal will enable Carers Australia to not only raise awareness of Australia's 2.7 million carers, but also promote their new Work and Care initiative, which aims to improve the capacity of carers to combine employment with their caring responsibilities,” Mr Joyce said.

“It will also assist long-term carers on income support to transition into employment when their caring role has diminished or ceased. These measures will enable carers to become economically engaged, benefitting themselves, their employers and the economy.

“I pay tribute to the generosity of the sponsors, donors and riders who will make this year’s event such a success,” Mr Joyce said.

For more information and to donate, please visit: www.carersaustralia.com.au