SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER JOINING IN TO SUPPORT BUSHFIRE RELIEF
The Santos Tour Down Under today announced it will be fundraising for the communities and people affected by the recent South Australian bushfires of Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island.
Gold Coin entry at tomorrow night’s Team Presentation and Free Concert presented by BikeExchange, the donation of the full prizemoney from Sunday’s Schwalbe Classic and dollar-matching by major sponsor Santos are the major aspects of the fundraising.
Promotion for people to head back into the affected regions and support local businesses and encouragement for Santos Tour Down Under community to further donate will also be a focus for the event in supporting those impacted by the bushfires.
South Australia has been hard hit by the bushfires and the funds raised, which is expected to be in excess of $40,000, will go directly to the SA Bushfire Appeal and the CFS Foundation in equal proportions.
The fundraising efforts will include:
GOLD COIN ENTRY AT TEAM PRESENTATION PRESENTED BY BIKEEXCHANGE
The Team Presentation presented by BikeExchange, is traditionally a free event. This year, those attending will be asked to donate a gold coin on entry to the City of Adelaide Tour Village. There will also be volunteers walking through the Tour Village collecting during the presentations.
DONATION OF SCHWALBE CLASSIC PRIZEMONEY
All 20 competing teams in the Schwalbe Classic, which will be held on Sunday 19 January, have collectively agreed to donate their prizemoney to the State Emergency Fund and CFS Foundation. This is a donation of €12,000 (approximately $20,000).
SANTOS – DOLLAR MATCHING
Naming rights sponsor of the Tour Down Under, Santos, has sought to join in the fundraising efforts, generously committing to dollar match the total money raised (Schwalbe Classic Prizemoney and money raised at the Team Presentation through gold coin donations). This support is in addition to their donated $600,000 to the South Australian Government’s Bushfire Appeal, Adelaide Koala Rescue and Lifeline’s Community Recovery Program.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
The riders and teams have expressed their sadness at the devastation in South Australia and have asked how they can best help. We know teams will be independently undertaking a range of activities to support those impacted by the bushfires, including providing signed jerseys for auctions and similar. Following the completion of the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under on Sunday, some of the teams will also head into the communities affected by fire to show their support.
BROADCAST PROMOTING DONATIONS AND RESPONSE
During the broadcast of the Santos Tour Down Under on screens of Seven, the commentators will be promoting donations to the State Emergency Relief Fund and the CFS Foundation whilst travelling through the bushfire damaged regions.
QUOTES:
Hitaf Rasheed, Executive Director, Events South Australia
“Our thoughts are with those people and communities affected by the bushfires, and certainly with the CFS and others who continue to work so hard to keep people and properties in South Australia protected,” said Events South Australia Executive Director, Hitaf Rasheed.
“In talking with the Adelaide Hills Council and Tourism, the most significant thing we as an event can do at this time, is to promote that the Adelaide Hills are open for business, to promote the region and encourage people to travel into and support the region.
“The Santos Tour Down Under would like to take this time to recognise the support of the Cancer Council who, as the event’s exclusive charity partner, have offered their full backing of these additional fundraising efforts to help the affected bushfire communities, Rasheed said.”
Kevin Gallagher, Managing Director and CEO, Santos:
”We have donated $600,000 to the South Australian Government’s Bushfire Appeal, Adelaide Koala Rescue and Lifeline’s Community Recovery Program, and as major sponsors of the Santos Tour Down Under, we’ll match every dollar raised for bushfire recovery during the event.” Mr Gallagher said.
“The Santos Tour Down Under includes race routes travelling near impacted areas in the Adelaide Hills and we encourage people to get out and support these communities who are doing it tough right now and will really benefit from visitor spending in their towns.”
Richie Porte, Trek-Segafredo rider and 2017 Santos Tour Down Under winner:
Obviously, when you watch television it’s the everyday Australians that are losing everything and then it’s the everyday Australians that are getting out there and fighting the fires – it’s pretty humbling.
This week riding up through Cudlee Creek you see the houses that have been absolutely decimated just before Christmas. I guess when you are a cyclist or sportsman, you are in your own world – it breaks your heart to see stuff like that happen – everyday Aussies losing everything.
Riding through the affected areas, the world is going to see how devastating the fires were. When we race around those areas, you take for granted the beauty of the gum trees, the koalas that all the Europeans are trying to spot.
I think it’s a good thing to bring the race through those affected areas. Go up there, buy your coffee and support the local businesses.
Jan-Claire Wisdom, Mayor, Adelaide Hills Council:
“Our communities have been hit hard by this devastating emergency and are already working on the long process of recovery,” said Adelaide Hills Council Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom.
“A huge event like the Santos Tour Down Under is something the community can look forward to; it provides them with an opportunity to come together and celebrate after a time of great fear and distress.”
“We look forward to welcoming visitors back into the hills.”
Helen Edwards, Chair, Adelaide Hills Tourism:
“After three tough weeks the Adelaide Hills is ready and open for business. This past weekend, main streets and attractions were humming with happy visitors,” said Adelaide Hills Tourism Chair, Helen Edwards.
“The Santos Tour Down Under is our next big opportunity to show the world our beautiful towns and villages, landscape and community; a community that is determined to thrive through courage and positivity.”
“Head to the Hills and play your part in making this the best Adelaide Hills Santos Tour Down Under ever!”
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