RECORDS were repeatedly smashed at this year’s QSuper Cardiac Challenge in what has been a difficult year for many.
More than $527,000 was raised during the fundraising bike ride from Cairns to Cooktown, surpassing the previous highest amount raised by more than $160,000.
Hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, the QSuper Cardiac Challenge results in the Far North Queensland community rallying together to ride the 333km journey each September.
Foundation acting CEO Joe Cristaldi said the ride, now in its 15th year, had become a legacy event for the Far North community.
“The team set the fundraising goal at $300,000 initially as that was what was sought for the equipment we’re buying, but the fundraisers smashed that out of the water. Then we set the new target at $429,000 and then that was smashed. So we set a new target of $500,000 and on night one of the event, we knocked that out of the ball park too,” Mr Cristaldi said.
“Taking out the $50,000 from our donor Joyce Swinton, it means the average amount raised per rider was $2026 which is just incredible and we’re very grateful.”
“Since inception 16 years ago, the event has now fundraised more than $4.87 million for cardiac services in FNQ.”
Funds raised from this year’s QSuper Cardiac Challenge will go towards a ventilator for cardiology, a lung function testing system and an endobronchial ultrasound system for respiratory.
“We had 260 cyclists this year, which is comparable to previous years, but the average amount raised per rider equated to $2026 which is another record smashed,” Mr Cristaldi said.
“We also believe this year’s tally puts the QSuper Cardiac Challenge as among the top fundraising events in regional Queensland.”
QSuper’s acting CEO Charles Woodhouse said “QSuper is committed to investing in initiatives which create long-term benefits for Queenslanders. QSuper looks after the retirement savings of many Department of Health employees in the state’s far north and we are proud to support an initiative that helps our members working in cardiac health provide state-of-the-art care for their patients.”
• Visit cardiacchallenge.com.au. The 2022 ride will be September 17-19.
About the QSuper Cardiac Challenge
The QSuper Cardiac Challenge is an annual fundraising bike ride from Cairns to Cooktown, hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. 2021 was the 15th time the Cardiac Challenge bike ride has been held, with more than $4.87 million raised for cardiac services by the Foundation, in that time.
About QSuper
QSuper is one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, with $120 billion in funds under administration. From humble beginnings more than a century ago, today they manage the retirement savings of more than 600,000 members. More information https://qsuper.qld.gov.au.
Photo: Cyclist Christine Posgate is welcomed by her fellow participants at the conclusion of Day 1 of the QSuper Cardiac Challenge. Blueclick Photography
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