Team hits its stride
East Grampians Health Service’s ‘Cranks and Defibrillators’ team is ready to tackle the Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay this weekend.
This year, due to a much smaller team, the group will be cycling in a ‘Sunday Striders’ event, a 90kilometre ride from Hamilton to Port Fairy through the picturesque and challenging hills of Macarthur, rather than the full ride.
Health service community liaison officer Jodie Holwell said the benefit of this section was that the whole team of riders rode as one, rather than in relay style.
“With a smaller team we felt this was the best option this year,” she said.
“Our riders have been training for months and are looking forward to the ride from Hamilton to Port Fairy and riding into the town together.
“There is always a huge crowd lining the streets to welcome the riders and with more than 30 teams from health services across Victoria, it will be a great sight.”
The EGHS team features 10 riders, three bus drivers and a support crew of two.
This year the team hopes to raise $10,000 towards a specialised bed for the new palliative care area at East Grampians Health Service.
The palliative care area is moving to an inpatient unit, due to the redevelopment of the medical imaging department, part of the overall $8.6-million redevelopment of theatre, pathology and medical imaging
departments. The team has organised other smaller fundraisers this year, including an Ararat market and popular raffle, with tickets available from Fosters Mensland and Deb’s Diner in Ararat.
It is also collecting individual sponsorship from family and friends.
“Our team has been selling raffle tickets next to the Saturday morning
Lions Club barbecue, and we thank them for sharing their space with us,” Ms Holwell said.
“Hannah Cunningham and her team from Fred and Bet’s Café in Ararat are also generously donating $10 from every box of cupcakes sold over the past two weeks and there is still time to pop in and grab some today.”