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Pedalling to empower over 2000 disadvantaged children

Media releases

03 October 2014

THE SMITH FAMILY PEDALLING TO EMPOWER OVER 2,000 DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN

There’s less than one month to go before 15,000 cyclists pedal across Melbourne in the Bupa Around the Bay – Ride for a Child in Need, and The Smith Family is urging the public to sponsor a riding team so the charity can raise $1.2 million.

For over 21 years, The Smith Family has been the event’s major charity partner and this year’s fundraising target will provide education support for 2,325 disadvantaged children for one year.

“A significant minority of young people – vulnerable and disadvantaged young Australians – are simply not getting the education they deserve,” Mr Leschen said.

“It’s alarming to hear that over 350,000 Australian children regularly miss out on at least two essential child items, such as up-to-date school books and new school clothes, or the opportunity to participate in school activities.

“If kids miss out on the things they need for school then they’re not going to succeed.

“We know that supporting a child’s education is one of the most effective ways of breaking the cycle of disadvantage and it’s truly heartening to be riding alongside nearly 1,000 other cyclists who have signed on to fundraise for The Smith Family.

“If we can reach our target of $1.2 million we can support more children and young people in need succeed in their education, and change their lives for the better.” said Mr Leschen.

Mr Leschen will lead The Smith Family All Stars team around the bay this year, and is calling on all Victorians to get behind their family or their friends’ ride, which will go a long way to helping disadvantaged children succeed at school.

As registration fees for Bupa Around the Bay go directly to Bicycle Network, The Smith Family only benefits when participants decide to fundraise as well as ride.

For further information or to sponsor a rider, please visit aroundthebayfundraising.com.au/

Media Inquiries: Kate Nash, PR and Media Advisor, The Smith Family, phone (03) 9473 4302 or
0406 997 647, kate.nash@thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au