Chain Reaction is pleased to announce our charity recipients and their funding allocations from events held during the 2020-2021 financial year.
We were exceptionally proud of all three 7 Day Challenges, which each exceeded their fundraising targets. Our Melbourne Challenge raised $1,237,460, then our Sydney Challenge raised $700,881, and the Brisbane Challenge achieved $816,125. Our fundraising efforts were further boosted by the introduction of virtual events, which saw our Melbourne coach David McKenzie undertake the 4,542km Virtual Race Across America (VRAAM) and raise a mighty $33,807. Total funds raised from these events was nearly $2.8 million, a very strong outcome in a difficult time.
As a result of these fantastic figures, Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation has donated $2,063,807 to our charity partners to support kids in need. This represents a flow-through rate of 71%, of total funds raised.
A huge congratulations to our 2021 Melbourne riders, whose fundraising efforts generated over $1.2 million, representing the highest amount ever raised for a Melbourne event. Our 2021 Sydney peloton was also a record-breaker with the largest contingent ever assembled of 50 riders. The funds raised by the 2021 Brisbane riders has taken the total amount of funds raised through the 7 Day Brisbane Rides to over $10 million since their inaugural ride in 2011, which is a tremendous achievement.
We are also thrilled to have exceeded $32 million in funds raised to help children in need since 2007. We could not have reached this momentous milestone without the support of our Chain Reaction community.
Chain Reaction sincerely thanks its riders, corporate partners, supporters, individual donors, support crew and everyone involved who helped deliver another program of extraordinary events.
We are looking forward to opening the registration for our 2022 7 Day Challenges shortly, and we are excited to welcome back our 2021 Women’s 3 Day Challenge this November.
MELBOURNE CHALLENGE
Major Partner
The Starlight Children’s Foundation – $442,500
The funds raised will continue to brighten the lives of sick kids through the Starlight Express Room at the Monash Children's Hospital. The Captain Starlight Program helps sick kids feel happier, more confident and puts them in a better place to deal with the pain and stress of hospital and treatment.
Major Partner
Very Special Kids – $442,500
The support from Chain Reaction will enable Very Special Kids to build their state-of-the-art children’s hospice, to care for kids with life limiting conditions providing global best practice paediatric palliative care, planned and emergency respite and end of life care.
Minor Partners
Monash Children's Hospital - $70,000
Funds raised will enable Victoria's largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit purchase NICVIEW camera devices to help families of premmie babies stay connected when they can’t be together to ensure no family misses out on the opportunity to bond.
Freedom Wheels - $50,000
Funding to run the Freedom Wheels program, which custom builds bikes for children with disabilities so that they can enjoy independence, mobility and a newfound sense of pride by riding a bike.
SYDNEY CHALLENGE
Major Partner
Starlight Children’s Foundation - $225,000
The donation will help bring happiness to more seriously ill children through the Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight Program at the Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick. These programs provide joy and happiness when and where it is needed most, for sick kids who spend months at a time in hospital.
Minor Partners
BaptistCare HopeStreet - $110,000
The support from funds raised will help facilitate vital services and children's programs and specialist services, including counselling, to help rebuild lives and allow children to move beyond the trauma they have experienced to reach their full potential.
So They Can - $110,000
So They Can's partnership with Chain Reaction will help improve the overall health and access to basic human rights such as education, food and clean water, and bring an end to child marriage for many more girls in Kenya and Tanzania.
BRISBANE CHALLENGE
Major Partner
AEIOU Foundation - $290,000
The funds will help facilitate the new AEIOU Townsville Centre that will double the number of places to 40. It will feature state of the art facilities to deliver early intervention programs to children with autism to build the skills they need to help them live their best lives.
Major Partner
TRACTION - $290,000
TRACTION helps at risk young people across Southeast Queensland by providing a welcoming and safe learning environment, meals when needed, and access to support and programs. The funds will help TRACTION deliver more programs, to help more young people experience
VIRTUAL CHALLENGE
Charity Partner
Starlight Children's Foundation - $22,907
The support will give sick kids and hospitalised children the fun and happiness that has a lasting positive impact on their lives. Starlight helps sick kids and families reconnect and take a break from the stress and pain of illness and treatment.
Charity Partner
GO Foundation - $10,900
GO Foundation provide scholarships to Indigenous children, who live on country, in community and with family. The financial assistance gives GO students access to the tools and resources they need to empower their own lives.
