Local paddlers raise funds for Flying Doctor

RAISING funds for Royal Flying Doctor Service Community Transport, Mary Beedle and Michelle Mclachlan recently participated in the Massive Murray Paddle.

The annual MMP is a five-day event where participants kayak more than 400 kilometres along the Murray River.

“At 7am on the starting day, our team of nine women aged between 14 and 60, from all walks of life, began our journey at the edge of the river at Yarrawonga,” said Ms Beedle.

“We were part of the Chicks with Attitude team with the other seven members coming from Bendigo, Adelaide, Murchison and Yarrawonga.

“Over the next five days we paddled through sunshine, wind, hail and thunderstorms, finishing in Gunbower.”

The team raised almost $2500 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Transport Team.

“For some of us it was our first time participating in this event while for others it was their sixth effort,” said Ms Beedle.

“There were tears as well as laughter, blisters and aches but everyone went home with a sense of great satisfaction for a job well done.

“Will we do it again next year? Most likely, yes!”

This year was the 54th running of the Massive Murray Paddle which has raised more than $1 million for community causes since 2016.

Race director Shannon O’Brien from Sydney Harbour Kayaks who manage the paddle with help from a number of private and government sponsors, said this year’s event was successful.

“We had 250 participants which is down on pre-COVID and pre-flood numbers of up to 600 but we are pleased with the money raised,” she said.

“There have been some challenges over the past few years but we hope we are entering a new cycle and have already had emails from overseas expressing interest in the 2024 MMP.

“The event is also awesome for promoting tourism and showcasing what a great place the Murray is as one of the world’s longest navigational rivers.

“The MMP is an extraordinary catalyst for doing good.”