General News
4 March, 2023
Hit the road to raise cash for COUCH
ATHLETES are being urged to combine fitness with fundraising for a well-regarded charity as part of the Cairns Airport Ironman 70.3 Cairns in June.
The Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health, better known as COUCH, is once again the charity partner of the event.
COUCH events and partnerships officer Bec Dent said the event was a favourite of athletes, “participating in one of Australia’s greatest sporting events, in one of the best locations in the world”.
“We invite competitors to join in the action, whether as an athlete participating for Team COUCH in Ironman70.3 Cairns, joining in the 5km COUCH charity fun run during Ironman Festival Week or by volunteering,” she said.
“Funds raised from your participation and fundraising activities will support the health and wellbeing of Far North Queenslanders impacted by cancer.
“We appreciate this opportunity to be associated with such an incredible event, and the support that is shown to us by the Ironman Group team.
“They truly do care about our region and giving back to the community. It’s not just the economic benefits they bring through sport tourism, but their incredible philanthropic values.
“We are so appreciative of this opportunity to be their charity partner. They go above and beyond to ensure we can maximise our fundraising potential and exposure.
“They also organise the COUCH charity fun run, which takes place as an official Ironman Festival event on the Friday morning of race week (June 16).”
Ms Dent said each year COUCH was allocated a certain number of team and individual “fundraising entries” to the event.
“This year, we are doing things a little differently. We are offering free registrations to our fundraising individuals and teams if they sign up before Monday, March 6 and commit to raising a minimum $2000 as an individual participant and $3000 as a team,” she said.
Taking part again is Adhesive director Vanessa Allen.
“I started 2022 wanting to set a goal that was going to be difficult to achieve, and given that I have never been a runner and not even athletic when I was at school, I thought, what better than to set a challenging fitness goal,” she said.
“The other motivation is that I would get to help COUCH by fundraising along the journey.
“The feeling of crossing the finishing line with my team was incredibly uplifting and emotional ...” Jo Brierley of Team ‘First at the Wrong End’ is also back again for the fifth time.
“This is the fifth year that I have been part of a COUCH team, I am humbled by the donations from family and friends and knowing that every time I do up my laces for this event will help so many other people,” she said.
To get behind Team COUCH as a sponsor or volunteer, or to participate in the Ironman 70.3 Cairns for COUCH email Ms Dent at info@couch.org.au
