MEDIA RELEASE
26th May 2010
Next month three gifted Queensland singers (and one cycling architect) will be raising money for mental illness research; not by singing but by riding 3,500km from Uluru to Brisbane via Mount Isa.
The Red Heart Ride is the brainchild of Scott Griffin, Dave Bull and Alex Harper, all members of one of Australia’s leading vocal ensembles, The Australian Voices (TAV), which nurtures young Australian musical talent.
The trio has joined forces with architect Dave Moran to support Australian Rotary Health’s mental illness research programs.
“Music makes a beautiful contribution to our quality of life” said Alex Harper, “and research shows this can be even more so for people living with mental illness”.
Scott Griffin, the CEO of TAV, thinks the ride dovetails nicely with the work of both organisations.
“Australian Rotary Health supports research into the mental health of young Australians and the singers with TAV are mainly aged from 16 to 24” he said. “With over a quarter of people in this age group experiencing a mental health disorder, I am acutely aware of the need to support research.”
“Studies show there are great mental health benefits in regular exercise and artistic pursuits. As ‘singing cyclists’ we are combining both” Scott said.
The Ride will start from Uluru on 2 June and arrive in Brisbane on 19 June.
Sponsor Ausenco, committed to respecting local communities and the environment, has generously provided financial support. Sporting store, 2XU, supplied the performance and compression gear for the Ride.
Alex has organised discussions with Rotary clubs and community groups along the way. These meetings, which aim to raise awareness of mental health issues in the bush, will also engage local doctors and health professionals as speakers.
Australian Rotary Health’s Corporate Manager, Terry Davies, said “the problems associated with mental health issues are real. This Ride will raise some $10,000 for research that will benefit the lives of many Australians living with a mental illness, their carers and the whole community”.
-ends-
Contact: Gerardine Grace, Media and Communications Officer
Australian Rotary Health
Phone: (02) 8837 1900