Nat Bromhead
With International borders closed and travel restrictions likely to be in place for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Hands Across The Water’s riding & fundraising experiences for 2020, and possibly 2021, are postponed.
But that’s not stopping the international social enterprise and their loyal supporters in raising critically-needed funds for children in need.
Each year the organisation hosts ‘Ride to Provide’, a cycling experience in Thailand. This, and associated fundraising components, make up $1.2M AUD of the organisations annual $1.9M in operating costs for the seven homes and countless children they support.
Kids Still Need Our Help
As founder Peter Baines OAM said ‘The world is on hold, training is on hold and fundraising is on hold. But the kids whose lives we support, we can’t put them on hold’.
Since it’s not possible to be there physically, from June 1 a virtual 800km coastal ride will take place to both keep the annual charity ride alive and raise much-needed funds for those young kids and their communities.
Further Details & How To Join
- All are welcome to join the campaign and not only help others but improve fitness from the comfort of home!
- A registration fee of $49 applies – This includes access to ‘My Virtual Mission’ to track your progress and the Hands Zoom Room where you can join us daily to clock up your km’s.
- There’s a minimum fundraising requirement of $500 – Riders can set up a fundraising page using Facebook and/or a personalised page on our website. Instructions for setting up a page are in the Welcome Email.
How to Register
1. Click on the sign up link to register for the challenge. Download further instructions here if you need them.
2. You will need to create an account with My Virtual Mission to activate your profile. This is the platform that we are using to map the ride and track your progress.
3. Once registered, click on the Join Mission button to register for the Challenge.
Further details at www.handsacrossthewater.org.au
About Hands Across The Water
Hands was established in 2005 after our founder Peter Baines OAM was introduced to the kids of Takua Pa who had lost their parents in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Baines was working in Thailand as a forensic investigator leading the Australian and International teams in the identification of those who died.
Instead of pulling out when his work ended, he decided to do something to help the children whose families and livelihoods had been destroyed. Hands was formed and lives began to transform. Starting with the kids of Baan Tharn Namchai, the focus was on building homes for the children that would not only sustain them, but enrich their lives. Read more HERE.
