CREATING A CHALLENGE OF THEIR OWN: INSPIRING COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR BRAINWAVE FROM THE GROVE ROADERS!
Brainwave, Australia’s only national charity supporting children suffering from brain illnesses, is delighted to announce some real grass roots support from a Melbourne community group of families, The Grove Roaders, who have decided to donate all sponsorship monies raised by their bi-annual 3-peaks Challenge to Brainwave.
Back and rearing to go, The Grove Roaders are backing up the roaring success of their last 3-peaks Challenge in 2007. Taking place in Bright, north eastern Victoria, on the Melbourne Cup long weekend in November 2009, the 3-peaks Challenge encourages teamwork and participation through a series of challenges, with participants seeking sponsorship and donations to raise money to support their chosen cause. The challenges vary in length and degree of difficulty to cater for all levels of proficiency. Activities including challenging road rides; a family mountain ride; orienteering; bushwalking and some relaxing, fun activities back at camp when the sun goes down.
Originating in Grove Road, Hawthorn, The Grove Roaders are a group of family friends who love getting together with a challenge in mind. Combining the conquering of physical challenges whilst highlighting the importance of giving to others, The Grove Roaders comes together to organise fundraising activities that make a strong contribution to the wider community.
After raising $16,000 in 2007 for charity Learning for Life, The Grove Roaders are focusing their 2009 fundraising on Brainwave. Established in 1994, the mission of Brainwave is to support the treatment and care of children suffering from brain illnesses from the point of diagnosis onwards.
The Grove Roaders launched their 3-peaks Challenge on Sunday 9 August, with a family get together at The Elgin Hotel. Brainwave Board member Penny Burke spoke to The Grove Roaders at the event explaining more about the vital support that Brainwave provides.
The Grove Roaders’ spokesperson Robert Davies said, “The Grove Roaders are ordinary people, wanting to make a difference. When we first conceived the idea, our aim was to combine physical fitness while highlighting to our children the need to help those less fortunate. What has followed has been a rewarding, fulfilling experience that has enabled precious family time and new relationships to be formed whilst making a real contribution to our chosen charities. We’re delighted to be supporting the important work of Brainwave this year.”
Brainwave Board member Penny Burke has expressed thanks to The Grove Roaders for their selection of Brainwave as this year’s chosen charity. ”It’s great to see support at such a grass roots level and it is inspiring that groups like The Grove Roaders exist. We thank them in advance for their commitment to our cause and they can rest assured that their donation will be put to great use supporting Brainwave children and their families. We wish them all the very best for the challenges ahead,” Penny said.
Michael Klim, Brainwave Patron …
“Hi, I’m Michael Klim. I have been a Patron of Brainwave for 5 years now and am continually encouraged and amazed by the benefits Brainwave has on the community. By providing on-going support from diagnosis through to treatment, Brainwave makes an enormous difference in a child and family’s development through an acquired brain illness. The financial support the Grove Roaders 3 Peaks Challenge will provide to Brainwave will be of enormous value and our sincere thanks go out to all of the families and Teams competing and their generous sponsors.”
