Pollie Pedal 2012 was the 15th annual ride. Each year Pollie Pedal raises money for charity and to date, we have raised over $2.5 million for charity. This year we raised $548,000 for Carers Australia. Also, in my electorate of Warringah, $148 000 was raised for Manly Women’s Shelter.
Along the way, we heard some heartfelt stories from inspirational people caring for those they love. More than 2.5 million Australians are carers and they come from all walks of life – parents looking after a child with disabilities, a child looking after an elderly parent, a brother caring for a sister needing help.
In addition to raising money for good causes, Pollie Pedal gives MPs an opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and to visit the smaller towns and regional communities around Australia.
Thank you very much for visiting the website and showing your support of the 2012 Pollie Pedal.
Tony Abbott
Pollie Pedal 2012
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 Geelong on Sunday 25 March 2012 and conclude in Canberra on Sunday 1 April 2012.
Carers Australia
Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s 2.6 million carers. Our Vision is that ‘caring is accepted as a shared community responsibility’ and Our Mission is ‘to lead change and action with and for carers’. Carers Australia works with the state and territory Carers Associations to achieve:
- improved health, wellbeing and resilience for carers;
- a more secure financial position for carers;
- increased recognition for carers; and,
- a comprehensive evidence base to inform policy and decision-makers.
Carers Australia advocates on behalf of Australia’s carers to influence policies, programs and services at a national level.
Carers Australia and Pollie Pedal 'connecting carers to the community'
Carers Australia will use the proceeds of Pollie Pedal to break down the isolation experienced by carers by connecting them with each other, with the community and with supports and services to assist carers in their caring role. Specifically Carers Australia will use the funds to:
- build a hub for engagement and sharing information for and about Australia’s carers;
- support community engagement using Carer Ambassadors to promote and communicate carer issues within the wider community;
- undertake a study to find practical ways to overcome isolation for Indigenous carers; and,
- increase employer understanding of the importance of workplace participation and flexibility for carers.
In Warringah Pollie Pedal 2012 will support Manly Women’s Shelter.
Make a donation
Please click here to make a donatio to Carers Australia
Please click here to download a donation form for Manly Women's Shelter
Manly Women's Shelter
In Warringah, the 2012 Pollie Pedal beneficiary will 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 communityHow your donations will help
How your donations will help
Every $5,000 raised through Pollie Pedal 2012 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.
PLEASE HELP by making a generous donation.
Sponsorship
With the help of sponsors, Pollie Pedal 2011 raised close to $300 000 - Pollie Pedal would like to thank all sponsors and donors.
If you would like to get involved in supporting Carer’s Australia through sponsorship of Pollie Pedal 2012 please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please see below our current sponsors.