Bowling club staff raise money for Rural Aid
Staff at Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club have cycled almost 2700km on exercise bikes to "raise awareness around mental health in rural areas of Australia and fund counseling services for our farmers".
Staff members took part in Rural Aid's Beach to Bush "virtual charity bike ride" during September to raise $6059, which was matched by a similar donation by the club.
They started with a goal of riding 2105 kilometres, the distance from Ettalong Beach to Birdsville, and raising $5000, said staff member Ms Hayley Rowlands.
However, with the help and support of its members and guests, participants rode 2697 kilometres and raised $6059.
The Club matched the figure, bringing total donations to $12,118.
The money will be used to fund initiatives to support mental health of farmers, many of whom are facing extreme hardship after eight years of drought and can live hundreds of kilometres from the nearest mental health services, said Ms Rowlands.
"Things are very tough on the land at the moment and it is impacting our farmers' mental health," she said.
"Our team of 19 riders embraced the opportunity to ride the distance and highlight the lack of mental health assistance in many rural areas.
"The whole Peninsula has been behind us all the way, and we couldn't be more thankful for the support".
SOURCES:
Social media, 6 Oct 2019
Media Release, 8 Oct 2019
Interview (Ross Barry), 8 Oct 2019
Hayley Rowlands, Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club