Charity ride rolls past its target

A CHARITY ride raising money for heart and lung transplant families that passed through the Surf Coast earlier this month has smashed its fundraising target.
The Tour de Transplant was organised by the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust of Victoria (HLTTV) and travelled 600 kilometres between Warrnambool and Melbourne.
The March 2-6 ride attempted to raise $150,000 for essential recovery accommodation for heart and lung transplant families.
However, tour organiser Jon Rolfe said the ride had raised at least $181,000 as of Tuesday morning, but there were more post-event fundraising activities closer to $185,000.
“It was a great success; everyone enjoyed themselves and was inspired by the cause.”
He also thanked communities along the Lorne Geelong leg for cheering the 35 riders – including four transplant recipients – along the way.
“We received great support from the local community, who were very welcoming.
“The backdrop for the ride was simply stunning along the Surf Coast.”
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Phil Anderson personally designed the 600-kilometre route for the Tour de Transplant, with each kilometre representing one family that has needed help with accommodation after receiving a transplant at The Alfred Hospital since 1989.
HLTTV’s Second Chance Accommodation Program provides $60,000 every year (about $2,500 per family) to accommodate transplant families from the country and interstate at the nearby Park To donate money to the Tour de Transplant, head to tourdetransplant.org.au.
To sign up to the organ donor register, head to donatelife.gov.au/decide.