Fundraising
We have a number of exciting fundraising initiatives at Autism Victoria. Click on the links below to learn more about each of them.
Greg Hunt MP's 500km walk around his electorate for Autism Awareness
Paynesville Footy Players Waxing for Autism Awareness
Swimming the English Channel for Autism Awareness
Other Exciting Fundraising Initiatives
Paynesville Footy Players Waxing for Autism Awareness
Members of the Paynesville Footy Team will be going through a lot of pain on Saturday 2 July – for a very good cause. They are raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders and raising funds by doing a sponsored wax. It’s a full-on wax – chest, face, legs, underarms… and those without body hair will be shaving their heads.
The Paynesville community is getting right behind the team, and the players will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on the day.
Saturday 2 July, Paynesville Football & Netball Club, Main Road, Paynesville:
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9.30am Gates Open
2.00pm Seniors Game – The Autism Shield – against Wy Yung
5.30pm Waxing begins
Auction and BBQ
"Before" photos of three of the brave Paynesville Footy Players:
Ian Radford (Flea) Dave Ward Eion May
(Senior's Coach)
A big thank you to Kirsti, Kara and Dave for a great idea and for making it happen, and to all the footy players for being brave enough to get involved. Everyone at Autism Victoria wishes you the very best of luck for a successful day.
Swimming the English Channel for Autism Awareness
Grant Siedle (aka Swims-without-a-Cap) and Don Riddington have been friends for the past 4 years. They met at Prahran swimming pool where Grant began coaching Don in a swimming squad. They have since formed a close friendship and started a kayaking company together, called Spirited Away.
After plenty of pool swimming, Grant began coaching Don in the open water and soon they both swam their first winter together with the famous Icebergers in Brighton. The thrill of plunging into 8 degree water followed by a hot sauna or steam-room proved to be irresistible to both of them. They are now regular participants in the Iceberger training and monthly handicap events.
The Brighton area is a great breeding ground for English Channel swimmers and Grant
and Don soon started hearing tales of superhuman efforts out in the English Channel. After competing in the 11.2km Bloody Big Swim along the Mornington Peninsula, the Channel presented itself as the next logical step in their open-water swimming careers.
Don, a member of Australia’s silver medal team in the 1967 World Lacrosse Championships, was first to put his hand up to swim the English Channel – the pinnacle of open water swimming and Grant committed to the task of coaching him. Shortly afterwards, Grant also booked a boat pilot and set in stone the path to one of the toughest open water challenges in the world.
The fact that the English Channel is 34km wide and 45 metres deep, water temperature will be around 15 degrees, the swimmer can be in the water up to 20 hours, without a wetsuit and must not touch any person, nor the boat, whilst dodging the 600 ships that ply the Channel daily, may explain a success rate of less than 10%. Success comes from careful planning and great preparation of body and mind.
Together, over the next 3 years, Grant and Don aim to raise awareness and more than $200,000 for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism Victoria is very grateful to them for this amazing initiative – we wish them luck with the swim – and with raising funds!
Support Grant and Don via their Everyday Hero Webpage – click here.
Grant Siedle Don Riddington
Cycling for Autism Awareness
The Alphabet Fleet Services Fundraising Team are riding from Werribee to Anglesea to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Last weekend in April 2011
Pictured are (from left) Michael Wonder (riding), Svetlana Grinburg, Milana Prelovac (riding the last 20kms), Simon Young (riding), Melissa Mckenzie, Kylie Duke, Jodi Harding, Mark Jones (riding), John Braden (sporting his Movember efforts and also riding) and Chris Garmey (riding), (inset) Luca Santucci (riding).
The team says: “Understanding the plights of families dealing with Autism is something close to our hearts. In support of these families the Alphabet team are riding 80kms from Werribee to Anglesea to contribute to Autism Victoria's 1000 Books Campaign. We hope that we are able to raise some awareness in relation to Autism and assist in building a fantastic resource for the community.”
“To create hope, you have to give hope. To give hope, you have to have hope. To create awareness, you put yourself out there and challenge yourself to the unknown.”
Good luck to all the riders and to the support team members – Autism Victoria is very grateful to you for your initiative in raising funds for the Autism Library and for raising awareness about autism spectrum disorders in your workplace and the wider community.
If you would like to donate to the walk please visit their Everyday Hero page at www.everydayhero.com.au/alphabet_fleet_services.
