Pedalling for Better Health

Published on 02 October 2014

Now that the football, netball and hockey seasons have finished in the North-Central league, the thoughts of Boort’s cycling fraternity can turn to plans for next year’s Murray to Moyne ride.

The efforts of local riders have reaped handsome rewards for Boort District Health over the past six years they have been involved.

In that time, Boort’s Murray to Moyne team has raised more than $150,000 for the Urgent Care Centre room at the hospital.

Equipment purchased has included a blood analyser, ultrasound, patient trolley, procedure lights, diagnostic sets and an iPad with retina display.

The $21,000 received this year through the efforts of the 17 riders and 12 support crew involved has gone towards buying a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

Fundraising for next year got off to a flying start when the gate takings for the launch of the 2014 Naturally Loddon Festival at John and Sonia Piccoli’s Star Spanner Sculpture Gardens last month yielded $1,276.

Sonia said she estimated the crowd at around 300 people, plus children.

“This was the first time we had supported the Murray to Moyne riders in that way,” she said.

“We went to a fundraising dinner for the riders last year and heard Dr Ashraf (Takla) speaking about the equipment he needed for the hospital.

“We were pleased to help with the cause and we certainly enjoyed the day.”

The 2015 Murray to Moyne relay event is planned for 28-29 March, with teams riding from Mildura, Swan Hill or Echuca to Port Fairy under one of three options – Night Riders, Day Timers and Sunday Striders.

Riders must be 14 years of age as at 6 April 2015 and numbers are capped. Registrations open Monday 27 October at $90 per person, with the fee rising to $100 from 20 December.

For more information about the Boort team’s plans, please phone Kathy Velleley on 5451 5200.