A TEAM of cyclists is partnering with the Grampians Health\u2019s fundraising arm for this year\u2019s Murray to Moyne charity relay event.<\/p>\n
On the first weekend of April, the Velorats will ride more than 500 kilometres from Swan Hill to Port Fairy, which they\u2019ve previously done in support of the Leukemia Foundation.<\/p>\n
Team captain Ross Huntington said the change in charity partners to the Ballarat Health Services Foundation is to make their cause more local.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Foundation is something a bit different with our change in name,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a local charity too so that was the main reason for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a few names but mainly rode under the Rotary Club of Ballarat West, and we\u2019ve generally raised about $10,000 to $15,000 per year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll leave Swan Hill at about 9am on the Saturday and ride from Hamilton at about 7am on Sunday the next day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got about 13 riders at this stage and we\u2019ll generally hit the 12 to 15 person mark each year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Velorats raised more than $200,000 for the Leukemia Foundation during their twenty-year partnership, and this year\u2019s goal is to raise more than $25,000 for BHSF.<\/p>\n
The cash will go towards physiology exercise equipment for cancer and cardio patients for Grampians Health.<\/p>\n
Grampians Health\u2019s head of fundraising and engagement Sarah Masters said the cycling team\u2019s initiative will be a great benefit for patients in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will get us appropriate equipment for our patients to be able to take home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s strong evidence that people who are cycling or undertaking physical activity during their chemotherapy, for instance, they\u2019ll actually get a better uptake.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a program we\u2019ve only been able to roll out in a very limited way so having the Velorats ride for us is going to make an enormous difference to our physiology department.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe equipment for one person would cost between $500 and $800.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A TEAM of cyclists is partnering with the Grampians Health\u2019s fundraising arm for this year\u2019s Murray to Moyne charity relay event. On the first weekend of April, the Velorats will ride more than 500 kilometres from Swan Hill to Port Fairy, which they\u2019ve previously done in support of the Leukemia Foundation. Team captain Ross Huntington […]<\/p>\n