Media Releases
- 16 Nov 2011 - Queensland's biggest bike ride raises record $212,000 for charity
16 November 2011
CHILDREN with diabetes and heart disease research were given a financial boost today with more than $212,000 raised through the recent Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge.
Organised by Bicycle Queensland in October, this year’s event attracted close to 7,500 participants.
Wilson HTM Investment Group’s Steve Wilson was delighted with the huge amount of public support and funds raised: “The response to this event from the bike riding public and from our staff and clients – 70 of whom participated – has been terrific,” Mr Wilson said.
“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.
“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 said it also highlighted how popular cycling was.
“Completing 100kms 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,” she said.
“The ride just keeps getting more profile every year which is great for cycling and also great for our benefiting charities.”
Diabetes Queensland president Rose-Anne Kelso said funds raised were enabling a new Diabetes Basics program to support young people with type 1 diabetes while at school. The program will ensure school
staff have an understanding of diabetes, new school guidelines for diabetes and what to do in emergency situations.
"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 need more research.
“This year we have funded almost $1 million 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 $1 million for charity in the last seven years. The 2012 ride will be held on Sunday 7 October.
-ENDS-
Media contact: Bicycle Queensland 3844 1144
Pictured: Heart Foundation CEO Cameron Prout, Wilson HTM Investment Group Head of Priority Funds Sandy Grant, Altitude Public Relations Director Caroline Thurlow, Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson, and Diabetes Australia - Queensland President Rose-Anne Kelso.
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