Research for children with diabetes and heart disease was given a financial boost yesterday with more than $212,000 raised through the Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge, held on 9 October 2011 and attracting close to 7,500 participants.
Wilson HTM Investment Group’s Steve Wilson was delighted with the enormous amount of public support and funds raised.
“It is great to see so many companies getting involved in the ride through entering teams and coming together in the spirit of community support," Mr Wilson said.
“The event not only promotes an active and healthy lifestyle, but it encourages individuals to do their bit to raise much needed funds for both Diabetes Queensland and the Heart Foundation."
While the ride raised a significant amount of money for charity, Bicycle Queensland Event and Marketing Manager, Rebecca Harwood, believes it affirms how popular cycling is.
“Completing 100 kilometres in a day is a great achievement for any cyclist and the fact that so many people are keen to take up this challenge is a great indicator of how popular cycling is and how many people are interested in an active and healthy lifestyle,” Ms Harwood said.
Diabetes Australia - Queensland president Rose-Anne Kelso said funds raised are enabling a new Diabetes Basics program to support young people with type 1 diabetes while at school.
"We want to create diabetes-friendly schools that provide a safe, supportive and healthy environment for children with type 1 to manage their diabetes without being excluded or discriminated," Ms Kelso said.
Heart Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Cameron Prout, said being physically active is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, but there are still many unanswered questions about cardiovascular disease that require more research.
“This year we have funded almost $1million of lifesaving research in Queensland and I am delighted that we will be naming a 2011-12 research grant in honour of the collective effort of everyone who supported this year’s Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge,” Mr Prout said.
The Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge has raised more than $1million for charity over the last seven years. The 2012 ride will be held on Sunday 7 October.
Pictured: Official Cheque Presentation for the Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge on 16 November 2011 - Heart Foundation CEO Cameron Prout, Wilson HTM Investment Group Head of Priority Funds Sandy Grant, Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson, and Diabetes Australia - Queensland President Rose-Anne Kelso.
