ABOUT
History
The Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel is a heartfelt and significant event, initiated by Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt and his wife Kerry, in memory of their daughter Isabel who was stillborn. This event, starting in 2010, not only serves as a personal tribute but also as a means to support the community through fundraising.
The fundraising aspect of the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel is particularly impactful. Participants are raising money to support the Special Care Nursery at Cairns Hospital.
The ride offers two distances – a 50km journey from Norman Park to Giangurra and an extended route through the cane fields to Barbagallo Road for those seeking a greater challenge. This flexibility allows participants to engage at a level that suits them, whether racing or simply embracing the course’s beauty.
Such events, especially when they are rooted in personal stories and supported by community leaders like Mr Pitt, foster a sense of community solidarity and collective effort towards a common cause. It’s not just about cycling; it’s about remembering, supporting, and making a tangible difference in the lives of local families. The involvement of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, known for its effective management of events like the QSuper Cardiac Challenge, ensures that the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel is handled with integrity and effectiveness, maximising its impact for the local community.
The Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel is more than a cycling event; it’s a symbol of resilience, community support, and the enduring power of memory.
Where the money goes
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s fundraising efforts, particularly through events like the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel, have been instrumental in supporting critical health care services in the region. The Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel is a prime example of how these funds can make a significant difference.
In 2023, the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel focused on supporting the Birth Suite at Cairns Hospital, an appeal which raised an impressive $200,000. The funds raised in 2023 contributed to the creation of the Butterfly Suite—a specially designed birth suite dedicated to mothers who have experienced the heartbreak of pregnancy loss. The Butterfly Suite is more than just a facility; it’s a sanctuary, thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and privacy during such a sensitive and challenging time.
For the 2024 Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel, the focus shifts to the Special Care Nursery at Cairns Hospital. The funds raised will directly contribute to enhancing the care of neonatal babies born at the hospital. This support is vital, as it ensures that the youngest and most vulnerable patients receive the best possible care in a safe and nurturing environment.
The Special Care Nursery, like the Butterfly Suite before it, will stand as a testament to the generosity and compassion of the community, brought together by initiatives like the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel.
About the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation has established itself as a vital entity in the region’s health care landscape since its inception in March 1997. Operating as a non-profit charitable organisation, the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation has contributed over $26 million towards enhancing health care in Far North Queensland.
Our focus on supporting a wide range of hospitals and health services across a vast geographical area—from Tully to the Torres Strait—is a testament to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s commitment to reaching a diverse and widespread population. This area comprises nine hospitals, two multi-purpose health services, and 53 primary health centres, catering to approximately 284,000 individuals.
What sets the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation apart is its operational model, where all administrative costs are covered through commercial activities. This ensures that every donated cent directly benefits the intended cause, maximising the impact of contributions.
Our services cover a broad spectrum of health care needs, including women’s and paediatric care, Indigenous and men’s health, cardiac, thoracic, and mental health services, orthopaedics, general and emergency medicine, and tropical medicine. Additionally, our support extends to vital areas like cancer care, medical research, rural and remote healthcare, and health education, including preventative lifestyle strategies.
As a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Status 1, the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation is not only a beacon of hope and support for those in need of medical care but also a trustworthy channel for donors looking to make a meaningful impact in the community.
Vision
“Superior Health Care in Far North Queensland”
Purpose
Working together with our community and health services to improve care in Far North Queensland.
Principal Activities
* Facilitate the additions of new services and upgrading of existing services in Far North Queensland Hospitals
* Maximise the profitability of our commercial operations
* Increase fundraising income
* Strategic marketing and communication to maximise community support, fundraising and advocacy for services development
* Ensure appropriate expenditure management and maximise the strategic benefits of grant funding
* Maintain, improve and further develop the Volunteer Program through the CHHHS and TCHHS
* Maintain Foundation good governance standards.
Our Funding
All our administrative costs are paid through commercial operations, meaning every dollar donated or contributed through fundraising goes towards its intended purpose.
FAQS
What type of cyclists ride the 2024 Ride for Isabel and will be able to do it?
- The ride is to encourage cyclists to give it a go, try something different. It is a one day event and will be fun. As long as you can handle the distance, you should be able to do the ride.
Is there an age limit?
12 – 16 years can participate with parental permission.
What date is the ride and what are the deadlines for registration and fundraising?
The date for the 2024 Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel is August 11 (rescheduled from the original date of May 12, Mother’s Day). Registration is $155 per rider, however riders registering after June 30 are not guaranteed a jersey. All riders, no matter what date they register, are required to fundraise at least $100 before the event.
Why fundraise?
Because every cent donated, goes to its intended cause. We have deliberately kept registrations as low as possible to encourage you to fundraise. This does NOT have to come out of your pocket. Fundraising can be done in a multitude of ways and if you are out of ideas, drop us a line and we can help you. Every time you make a donation or someone donates to you, it is tax deductible and you or they will automatically receive a receipt when it is paid online via our website.
What does my registration fee include?
Your registration covers riders support, safety services and other operational costs, and also includes a barbecue lunch and an official 2024 Ride for Isabel Jersey.
What is the route like – and are there any hills?
Hills!!! What hills? Yes there are a few but we like to call them undulations.
Do I need a new bike and what sort of bike do I need?
No, your bike does not need to be new but it does need to be in good mechanical order and recently serviced.
What to take and wear
2024 Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel jersey, and a well-serviced bicycle, helmet, lights, water bottle/s, sunscreen.
Shirt Sizing Chart
TBA
Do I need to carry money?
Only if you want a coffee along the way.….