Rotary International District 9810
Ride for Research $$$$$'s
For 30 years District 9810 has been a loyal and generous supporter of Australian Rotary Health. Of the 23 Rotary Districts in Australia, this District is the second largest benefactor with donations totalling $2.2 million.
District 9810’s annual fundraiser for Australian Rotary Health, Ride for Research $$$$’s, has grown significantly since it began in 1986. This event alone has raised an impressive $755,000.
Ride for Research $$$$’s usually starts from Melbourne and takes an extended route around Victoria before finishing at the location of the District Conference for that year. Sometimes the Ride has crossed state borders, venturing into NSW, the ACT, South Australia and across to Tasmania.
In February 2010, Rotarians and friends from District 9810 completed their annual Ride for Research $$$$’s in Geelong. Forty eight cyclists (and their support crew) spent seven days riding 660kms. This endeavour yielded $35,000 for Australian Rotary Health.
Reflecting the age span of the 2009 Great Australian Bike Ride cyclists, riders from 16 to 82 were divided into three teams according to their fitness level. Eight Rotary Youth Exchange Students from Austria, Brazil, France (2), Germany, Japan, Norway and Switzerland joined seasoned veterans of the Great Australian Bike Ride, PP Geoff Kennedy and Jennifer Kennedy, PP Gonny Rundell and John Rundell and Rotarian David Brown and Karen Brown.
Ride coordinator, Rob Henry said, “This is our 24th ride and each year we strive to better our record by crisscrossing Victoria, promoting Rotary and raising more funds to help more people through the work of Australian Rotary Health.”
District 9810 is not only pushing peddles to raise money; it is also increasing awareness of the important role of Rotary clubs in the development of international fellowship, community service and the increased awareness of business and service groups. This results in corporate support and financial input for the Ride and many other Rotary initiatives.
The growth of Australian Rotary Health has been enabled by the loyal support of committed Rotarians across Australia. This is especially so with District 9810. Their energetic fundraising has made a notable impact on Australian medical research.