Pollie Pedal 2013
What
Pollie Pedal is a cycling event started in 1998 by a number of federal and state politicians. Its purpose is to raise money for various charities whilst giving smaller Australian communities the opportunity to meet various members of Parliament.
Since it began, Pollie Pedal has raised $2.5 million for organisations such as the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health within the Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Ronald McDonald House, Youth Insearch, and the Paralympic Games, as well as medical research into childhood leukaemia, diabetes, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
When
The ride will begin in Adelaide on Sunday 28 April 2013 and conclude in Geelong on Sunday 5 May 2013.
Carers Australia
This year Pollie Pedal riders will again ride 1,000 kilometres to raise funds in support of Australia’s 2.6 million carers and help ‘Make Australia Carer Aware.’
Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail aged. They are the foundation of our aged, disability, mental health and palliative care systems, without carers these systems would simply collapse.
Carers Australia and Pollie Pedal 'Make Australia Carer Aware'
Proceeds of Pollie Pedal 2013 will be used to:
- activate our Carer Aware Workplaces program for employers
- expand our Carer Ambassador program to achieve greater community awareness of the needs of carers
- fund consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers to further develop practical ways to overcome isolation; and
- fund carer engagement activities across the country
Donation
To make a donation please click here.
To make a donation to the Manly Woman's Shelter, please click here.
Manly Women's Shelter
In Warringah, the 2013 Pollie Pedal beneficiary will again be the Manly Women’s Shelter. This not-for-profit community organisation works to reduce homelessness amongst women on Sydney's Northern Beaches. It provides essential short-term accommodation and support services for women in crisis to help them feel safe and to rebuild their lives.
The shelter welcomes all homeless women without discrimination of class, age, cultural or religious background. It is understood that homelessness is caused by many different factors including, but not limited to, domestic violence, mental health issues, financial difficulty, drug, alcohol and other addictions, and or other personal traumas.
Why women come to the Manly Women's Shelter
Domestic violence is the most often cited reason given by women presenting to specialist homelessness services for assistance. This includes physical, emotional and or sexual abuse. But it's important to remember that this is not the only cause of homelessness amongst women.
Women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless often lack control over their lives because they are dependent on others to provide accommodation. They may be pressured to enter into and remain in relationships that offer shelter, even if this places them at risk of harm, in order to meet their immediate needs and the needs of their families.
Homelessness can result from such a diversity of reasons that anyone in society can potentially experience homelessness at some stage in their lives.
Current programs and accomplishments
Manly Women’s Shelter is the only shelter on the Northern Beaches for women who are unaccompanied by children and women who are homeless for reasons other than domestic violence.
Services include but are not limited to:
- Up to 3 months emergency accommodation, food and clothing
- The shelter consists of two side-by-side houses in a secure location on the Northern Beaches. Women who are able to access Centrelink payments are income assessed and where possible clients pay subsidised rent for accommodation and food.
- Crisis intervention and case management§ Access to medical care, particularly in relation to mental health issues
- Counselling and access to a psychologist and psychiatrist
- Culturally appropriate care, particularly for Indigenous and refugee women
- Life skills, budgeting and job assistance
- A therapeutic environment and programmes to build self-esteem
- Accommodation and employment assistance, longer term to settle in the community
How your donations will help
Pollie Pedal 2013 donations will provide individual case management and support services for a homeless woman. It will also afford her outreach services assisting resettlement when she returns to living and rebuilding her life in the general community.
Sponsorship
With the help of sponsors, Pollie Pedal 2012 raised close to $548 000. Pollie Pedal would like to thank all sponsors and donors.
Particular thanks goes to Amgen, Principal Sponsor, for their continued support.
Thank you also to those companies already committed to Pollie Pedal 2013 including; Alphapharm, Roche Products, DHL Australia, Medicines Australia, Shimano, Pfizer and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
If you would like to get involved in supporting Carer’s Australia through sponsorship of Pollie Pedal 2013 please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 02 6277 4022.
Information on how to become a Pollie Pedal Sponsor can be found here by clicking here.
Please see below our current sponsors for 2013.