Claire Woods, Chief People Officer at Grampians Health, said she was grateful for the generosity of the Ballarat community in supporting local fundraising efforts for the health service.

“On behalf of everyone at Grampians Health, and particularly the Mental Health Team, I’d like to thank the Velorats for their incredible fundraising efforts over the last two months. We were delighted when they smashed through their initial target of $25,000 reaching a total of $44,000. The support of the Ballarat Health Services Foundation to double this amount (for a total of $88,000) will allow us to double the improvements to our youth mental health services.

“This incredible result speaks volumes about the generosity of our local community. Community groups like the Velorats are so important in helping us provide innovative equipment and services, from pre-natal through to aged care and everything in between. We also acknowledge the many people who have donated to the Ballarat Health Services Foundation. Their donations have allowed the Foundation to generously match the Velorats’ total.

“To everyone who has donated to the Velorats or the Ballarat Health Services Foundation, please know that your donations make a difference in helping us provide healthcare as close as possible to people’s homes,” she said.

Ross Huntington, captain of the Velorats, is a veteran of the Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay. This annual event has raised over $20,000,000 for health services across Victoria over 30 years. This year’s race was the 19th time Mr Huntington has participated.

“The cause [of Adolescent and Child Mental Health] resonated with us as a team and we are so proud of our work to support mental health here in Ballarat. We all know that cycling is as good for our mental health as for our physical health. The teamwork and camaraderie are a big part of why I keep coming back to cycle the Murray to Moyne. I think the cause resonated with our sponsors as well.

For Mr Huntington, building a strong community of support is the key to their fundraising success.

“I’ve been associated with the Rotary Club of Ballarat West for many years and was first introduced to the Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay through this group. Every year, we have built on this community and are grateful for their support. We could not have achieved this result without our Gold sponsor Replas Recycled Plastic Products, our Silver Sponsor Bunninyong Community Bank, 14 incredible local businesses who sponsored individual riders and all the individuals who donated to us.

“We were delighted with our efforts of raising $44,000 for the cause, and we were blown away when the Ballarat Health Services Foundation decided to match this total. Their commitment to supporting community-based fundraising for public healthcare in Ballarat is inspiring.”

Lindsay Florence, Chair of Ballarat Health Services Foundation, explains why the Foundation made this donation.

“For over 30 years, the Ballarat Health Services Foundation has supported the work of Grampians Health Ballarat (formerly Ballarat Health Services). On behalf of the Foundation Council, we welcome the opportunity to support youth mental health services. By supporting this service, we are playing our small part in building a stronger, more resilient community.”

The Velorats are a group of Ballarat cyclists who fundraise for the Ballarat Health Services Foundation by participating in the annual Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay. The Ballarat Health Services Foundation is a charity whose sole purpose is to support fundraising activities at Grampians Health Ballarat. If you would like to know more about fundraising for Grampians Health Ballarat, please contact fundraising@gh.org.au or call 03 5320 4093.