Annie’s Army puts rubber to the road for cardiac care

Brothers Nick and Peter Lyngcoln once again saddled up to ride the 333 kilometres from Cairns to Cooktown to raise funds in their mother's memory as part of the QSuper Cardiac Challenge this year.

With their brother Daniel, the trio established a team of riders they named Annie’s Army, following their mother Annie Lyngcoln’s passing in 2017, to raise much-needed funds for the Cairns Hospital’s cardiac unit. Annie spent four weeks in the unit before she passed away.

The team has so far raised more than $40,000, with an annual fundraising goal of $10,000.

Through QSuper’s partnership with the challenge over the past two years, 100 percent of the funds raised directly support cardiac care and the purchase of new cardiac facilities in Far North Queensland.

Cycling in Annie’s memory

The exceptional support and care Annie received during her time in hospital motivates the Lyngcoln brothers to continue participating in the challenge, which ran from 25-27 September this year.

“The reason why this year was our fourth taking part in the challenge is that our values are so aligned, and we know all of the funds we raise go directly to improving cardiac care facilities,” Peter said.

“We didn’t just want to do the ride, we wanted to raise money on her behalf so that other people in the region could access facilities and care without the added stress of travelling to a major city like Townsville or Brisbane,” he said.

With the support of the local community and QSuper, Annie’s Army continues to make a tangible difference to cardiac treatment and care in the region.

Corporate and community unite

This year, funds raised from the QSuper Cardiac Challenge will go towards a ventilator for the hospital’s cardiology unit, a lung function testing system, and an endobronchial ultrasound system.

QSuper Chief Executive Officer Michael Pennisi said the QSuper Cardiac Challenge was an example of how corporate and community support can work together to bring greater outcomes for Queenslanders.

“QSuper looks after the retirement savings of many Queensland Health employees in the state’s Far North,” Mr Pennisi said.

“Through the challenge we’re able to ensure all the incredible fundraising efforts by participants go directly to supporting the cardiac care and facilities available to the Far North Queensland community.”

Since Annie was in hospital, the foundation has contributed $1.6 million towards a second cardiac catheter laboratory, enabling the introduction of electrophysiology cardiology – a service patients previously had to travel hundreds of kilometres for.

Find out more

The QSuper Cardiac Challenge ran from 25-27 September. To learn more about the event and how to donate visit cardiacchallenge.com.au

The opinions expressed and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the QSuper Board. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of any of the information supplied and you should seek advice for your circumstances.