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QSuper team help raise funds for FNQ cardiac care

Community Health News

21 September 2023 5 min read

Exhausted but feeling fulfilled, the inaugural QSuper team were among more than 180 cyclists to complete the 333-kilometre ride from Cairns to Cooktown to raise money for charity in the 2023 QSuper Cardiac Challenge.

The QSuper Cardiac Challenge, run from 16-18 September this year, is an annual fundraising event hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. Launched in 2007, it has become a major FNQ event, fundraising more than $6 million to purchase vital cardiac care facilities for hospitals in the region.

This year’s event raised more than $380,000, which will be used to purchase vital equipment including cutting-edge cardiac monitoring equipment for the Cairns Hospital Intensive Care Unit, which provides critical care services to the entire FNQ region, including a significant number of First Nations people.

Buying this equipment means patients in regional and rural areas can access advanced cardiac care facilities in their communities, without the added stress of travelling to a major city like Brisbane for treatment.

QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust, has been the major sponsorship partner of the Cardiac Challenge since 2020 and our support enables 100% of funds raised to go towards cardiac care facilities in FNQ.

QSuper team ride for the first time

This year, as part of our partnership, we entered a QSuper team for the first time and our five riders – David Brook, April Smith, Sam Wiseman, Matthew Millwater, and Michael Huskisson – relished the experience, along with about 180 riders, 100 volunteers and 40 supporters.

David, who is a Senior Manager Superannuation Product, returned to his hometown to participate in his first QSuper Cardiac Challenge, following in the footsteps of his father who has participated in the challenge many times.

David enjoyed riding with his dad, Roger, and his QSuper teammates, but admitted to being fairly leg weary after slogging it out on the road for 333 kilometres.

It was a wonderful experience and I want to thank all the volunteers and other riders who made it fun and were so supportive,” David said.

“I was so happy to join my dad, who has been involved for years in supporting a great cause. If anyone is thinking of joining this event next year, I encourage them to do so as anyone can do this and it feels so good to be part of a community.”

April, the least experienced cyclist on the QSuper team, has previously supported the event in her role as a Member Education Officer. She was inspired to saddle up after witnessing the mateship, commitment, and selflessness among the riders she met at the rest stops in past Cardiac Challenges.

“Before this event, the last time I cycled was to and from school a couple of decades ago,” she said. “The Cardiac Challenge was definitely harder than the school commute, but my teammates were a great support and got me over the finish line.

“It’s an experience I will never forget, and for such a great cause.”

Better access to advanced cardiac care

The fundraising event is hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organisation that raises money for health care services across FNQ.

Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said support from sponsors and particularly QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust, was integral to the ride’s success.

“This sponsorship is a critical component of what we do. It means that every cent donated and raised truly goes to the cause,” Ms Hogan said.

“Everyone’s been working really hard – all the donations large and small add up to the total – life saving equipment.”

Backed by QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust

Australian Retirement Trust CEO Bernard Reilly said we were proud to continue to partner with the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation to deliver the QSuper Cardiac Challenge.

“Australian Retirement Trust is passionate about supporting our members and the community, including in rural and remote areas where we have a strong heritage,” Mr Reilly said.

“It’s incredibly rewarding for us to see the real impact the funds raised for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation have on improving access to vital health services in these communities.

“The QSuper Cardiac Challenge is a great example of the community coming together to improve the outcomes of those in the region. This year was also special for ART as we had a team participating for the first time.”