Exercising for a great cause

The onset of the humid November weather didn’t deter dozens of people from taking part in the inaugural Fraser Coast USQ Ride Run Walk on Sunday, November 14.

In a symbol of unity between the organisers and the beneficiary, the first two over the line were the children of the head of USQ's Fraser Coast campus and head of the Hervey Bay Hospital children’s ward.

Eleven-year-old Tim Stott, son of USQ Fraser Coast Provost Professor Ken Stott, and 13-year-old Bec Woolcock, daughter of nurse unit manager of the children’s ward Ann Woolcock, took part in the five kilometre bike ride.

There was also a run and a walk, all starting and ending at the USQ Fraser Coast campus in Pialba. The first adults over the line were husband and wife bike riding team Graeme and Leonie Mitchell. Their top speed was 25.3km per hour. But there were no prizes for being first or being the fastest.

Everyone who entered the event went into a draw for prizes. The major prize, of a stay at Fraser Island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort, was won by Darren Bosley, from the Fraser Coast Chronicle team.

The winner of the night for two at Ramada Resort Hervey Bay was won by Natasha Frame. The USQ Ride Run Walk was organised by the USQ Student Guild as a way of raising money for the Hervey Bay Hospital Children’s ward.

Ann Woolcock said the money would be spent on some nice fun things to make a stay in hospital a little better. USQ Student Guild officer Kelly Ralston said it was all about having a bit of fun while supporting a good cause.

'There is no ongoing fundraising for the children’s ward, and with the region growing so rapidly we need to support this facility. The first USQ Ride Run Walk was held in Toowoomba four years ago to celebrate USQ’s 40th anniversary. It was so popular that it became an annual event, and we decided to hold one here.'

The USQ Student Guild provided a free healthy breakfast for the participants.