Charity Rides?
Charity rides seem to come up in these discussions quite frequantly. In the last couple of weeks the question was asked, was the amount that went to charity from the Velo Ride reasonable. A lot of interest and support for the Ride For Repat ride. A question as to why so few rode in the St Andrews Ride N Stride?
No total posted yet for the Ride For Repat but it looks to be well in excess of $10,000. As I understand it all the Repat Foundation money goes to medical research and improving facilities for the patients of what is essentially a public hospital. A good cause in my view, if the repat is typical of public hospitals theres a lot of improvements to be made.
Conversely, St Andrews is a private hospital, owned by a private company that makes a profit for it's share holders. I understand that Ride N Stride was founded by a group of surgeons, I'm assuming that they are private surgeons and that they have a very substancial income. So I have a predicament, why is a profit making org asking for charity.
I've no doubt that somebody will very soon enlighten me on how wrong I am in my assupmtions.
However, it would appear that Ride for Repat will be an ongoing thing and it would appear that many would not only like to support it but if the opportunity arose many would like to be part of it. Obviously the infrastructure and finance needed for a 100 or more riders to do the same ride would be huge. But how about a series of rides similar to the Grand Slam. Start and finish at the same point, no food provided, maybe the foundation volunteers could man hydration stations. Maybe some of the rides could run in conjunction with Gawler Wheelers and similar groups. If sponsors can be found to cover the cost of jerseys all well and good, if not keep the cost to a minimum. Utilise Linear Park, Veloway, SOG, Willunga off road paths as much as possible.
It's just a thought, the aim is to support our friends who have given so much to those who have given so much more.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Andrew on -
Interesting reading Clive.
Are you suggesting;
A) A type of charity ride where, in fact, its a month of 'ordinary' rides (ie not big multi-day event rides but your normal social/training/competition rides) where the $'s are raised for the cumulative total ($ per km).
B) The formation of some sort charity or fund raising group?
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
the yellow pages have 105 listings for charities
who gets my charity dollars?
Who gets free treatment at St Andrews hospital?
Do Nurses, Doctors and even charity coordinators get paid more than me?
Is the work of the charity more important than other things I could spend my money on such as my child?
As a person who has had no income since November 2011 these are questions that are important to me.
I don't know the answer to these questions.
Did Vilfredo Pareto have a point about efficiency?
As a person who has an economics degree I believe he did
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on -
Don....next time Radelaide has a heavy down pour, hopefully the roof and ceiling of the Daw Park Hospice will be watertight and not leaking anymore.....the staff there do an awesome and difficult job and deserve a better work environment.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on -
that is part of the problem there Rob.
I think it is appalling money raised from a ride like you did would go to fixing a roof. That is a basic maintenence issue and should be covered by government funding. If it isnt I think we all need to ask where the hell are our tax $$$ going.
I would have hoped anything you all raised may have gone to to extra things that made patients more comfortable, or helped the repat offer some services it doesn't currently.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on
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Matt, from my understanding the funds for fixing the roof was already there but the interior needs a make over. The plans for the new interior were on display down at the Repat. It is people power that gets things done rather than waiting for government handouts....
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Permalink Reply by REIDY on
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Hi Clive
The R4R raised over $45,000 and this will be split in half to the two foundations (Daw Park Hospice Foundation &Daw Park Foundation) ALL funds that are raised will be going to the forndations.
Also the cyclist limit is 20 at this stage for the event if it happens again next year, this is primarly due to safety. logistics and resources for the event.
Hope that helps?
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Permalink Reply by colin ware-lane on -
@ reidy as there was 18 this time and assuming they will all want to do this again next year that leaves only two places to anyone else who would like to be part of a great event,so it may be that a 2nd group will form as i am sure there are enough people who would be keen to give this ride ago or it will become a ride just for those who rode the 1st time !
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Permalink Reply by Specialised Roubaix on -
Why do charities exist? taxes are used to provide for the poor.
If democracy is so good then the people are happy at how much tax is spent on the poor; otherwise we would change parties at an election.
So if I already support via taxes why pay more? Perhaps it follows that we should give to private non government funded bodies only.
My gripe is why dont we lobby the government more for money- charities probably do this as an unseen activity.
Other gripe is the "charity industry" with its high overheads.
Finally none of us need feel guilty for riding because and only because we like it.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on
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Hi Clive.....the Ride4Repat so far has raised over $42000 with the funds to be divided equally between the Daw Park Foundation and the Daw Park Hospice. The number of cyclists that could participate was limited to 20 as to provide support and accomadation and being a group safe on the road is a logistical problem. Larger numbers means more support staff and vehicles, needing to divide the large group into smaller riding parties, finding enough suitable accommodation are all considerations. Yes the Ride4Repat will hopefully grow as an event and I have a significant interest in this event as Im a Repat employee and see the needs of the hospital. The ride was an outreach to the South East which the Repat services to a great extent as many patients of the Repat live down in the region. This event has now established many new friendships with the people and companies down in the South East and want to continue to support us in future events. Yes the Ride4Repat was also a loop ride in that it finished where it started but it was a multiday event involving 950 km......something that is unique and I would do again without hestitation as this type of cycling is what I most enjoy.
Cheers Chewbacca :)
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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I have no problem with charities at all, problem I have is that so often the funds raised are gobbled up by admin!
It's a profession to raise funds and they who organize must get paid! Must they? I don't know!
I give often and heck, it even is a tax deduction but I find it daunting how no-one really knows what was raised and who gets what and lets face it, $40k is not exactly mind blowing in terms of aid for a hospital, that barely covers a yearly cookie expense!
I find doctors, nurses and anyone in the health industry does a fantastic job and mostly get well paid, let's not start on a nurses strike for better pay!
On the flip side though, we are living on an island where we are taxed more than anywhere else in the world and the cost of living in general is also one of the highest!
What does the government do with the taxes raise and yes, it's complex but for crap sakes, let's get rid of Labor and that alone will impact us all in a very positive manner! At work they are commonly called communists not Labor!
Rather than pay $150 for a disgraceful jersey, a banana and some drink, I give food to the hungry, have worked in shelters and used to when I had my restaurant give food!
I be happy to donate directly to needy hospitals but never know what % actually ever reaches the core and hence hesitate!
Clive raised an interesting point and as much I like to argue with him as we seldom see matters in the same light, I tend to agree
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
A close family friend is a top exec with World Vision in the UK, her salary is phenomenal but the money she helps to raise is way in excess of her salary. She co-ordinates major world wide events with global superstars and corporations ,something which a volunteer or lesser qualified person probably could not do and she could earn far more working in a non charity organisation.
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Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on -
I think I have been jaded by charities over the years and now a bit more selective of who I donate to these days.
I was a big fan of the Little Heroes foundation as they do some fantastic work - but when you hear about all the trouble McGuiness gets into (I know he is no longer part of it), and 60% of funds raised goes to admin and part of its funds were being used to lease a BMW X5 and Mercedes CLK 280 - you really have to wonder.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/website-to-track-charity-revenue-and-...
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/big-charities-want-mone...
I like to donate to Cancer charities - but there seems to be so many of them - and I sometimes wonder how duplication of effort occurs - would it be more productive if there was just one Cancer organisation working together?
So - when you hear of rides and charities like Ride4Repat - I feel confident the money is not been wasted, is going to a worthy cause - so - great effort guys!
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