Whilst many enjoyed their father’s Day on Sunday the first of September in the company of loved ones and in the warmth of their homes, I had the privilege of spending my father’s day in the company of the broader Sandringham District family in support of one of our community’s most important and cherished assets; the Sandringham Hospital.
Swapping a bacon and egg brekkie for a ride along the scenic albeit sometimes hilly stretch of Beach Road between Black Rock and Mordialloc, I was one of over forty volunteers who each committed to raising a minimum of $1,000 in donations as participants in the 24-Hour Sandringham Charity Bike Ride.
This biennial event sees participants ride their bikes in a relay loop between Black Rock and Mordialloc for 24 hours non-stop. The 2017 event raised $140,000 and I am pleased to report that over the last ten years, the event has raised more than $500,000 in total.
Whilst I sincerely thank and applaud the physical endurance and initiative of every volunteer who shunned their wooly coats and beanies for bike helmets and lycra, I wish to extend special thanks to:
– Kerry Stratford, Head of Fundraising at Sandringham Hospital
– Judy Reeves, Head of Nursing at Sandringham Hospital; and
– Alistair Murray, leading volunteer co-ordinator of charity bike riders
Speaker, it is only with the selfless and unceasing help of individuals such as these that the enormous pedal-power of Sandringham District’s community spirit can be harnessed to achieve the great things that it so often does.
I count myself privileged to have been given the chance to contribute to such a magnificent initiative, and long may we ride in support of the Sandy Hospital.
