Cycling Without Age Gold Coast has taken out the March round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterGoldCoast Community Funding program, and with it $2000.
Operating out of Paradise Point since 2020, Cycling Without Age Gold Coast and its team of volunteers takes elderly people or those with disability for bike rides in specially built trishaws.
Safety is one of the organisation’s key priorities, which is why they will use these funds to provide first aid training to their volunteers.
Cycling Without Age Gold Coast Community Captain, Wayne Sticher, said the group operates to provide social interaction for vulnerable people.
“We are breaking the barriers of social isolation and loneliness in society's often forgotten citizens,” Wayne said.
“Our accredited volunteers share with their guest tales of yesteryear, many laughs and often witness tears of joy as they feel valued because their 'cloak of invisibility' has been removed.
“Enormous mental health and wellbeing benefits are experienced by guests and volunteers through the simplest acts of cycling, listening, laughing and sharing.
“We have 50 volunteers who between them do over 600 trips each month and demand continues to increase.
“When dealing with elderly people and people with a disability, health and safety are paramount, so we plan to use this funding from Greater Bank to help cover the cost of putting up to 30 people through a first aid and CPR training course so they can better deal with a potential health emergency.
Cycling Without Age Gold Coast Community Captain, Wayne Sticher
“We are completely reliant on our fund-raising and grants, so this contribution is very welcome indeed and will make a material difference to our volunteers and our clients.”
Also benefiting from the March round are runners-up, Gold Coast 8 Ball Association and the local branch of RSPCA Queensland, each receiving $500.
Greater Bank’s Gold Coast Regional Sales Manager, Scott McCluskey, said community connection is fundamental to wellbeing.
“Maintaining connections is vital for people’s mental health and Cycling Without Age Gold Coast is playing a important role in helping some of our most isolated people to feel part of the community,” Scott said.
“What better way to do that than going for a bike ride in the fresh air and sunshine and having a chat and a few laughs.”
This is the second round of the #GreaterGoldCoast Community Funding Program, which provides $3,000 each month with three community groups, charities, sporting clubs and other non-profits nominated to be part of the Program.
There is another $3,000 on offer in the April round, with nominees You Have A Friend Inc, Waves of Wellness Foundation and Fibromyalgia ME/CFS Gold Coast Support Group Inc each in the running for a share of the funding. The public online vote is open until 5.00pm Wednesday 26 April, 2023 at greater.com.au/greatergoldcoast.
For more information on the Program and to find out how to nominate a club, community group or charity, go to greater.com.au/greatergoldcoast.