Riverwalk

Riverwalk 2008 - Thanks and Congratulations

This year's Riverwalk was a huge success with approximately 450 people participating in the walk and fundraising families raising over $104,000.

Congratulations to Team Cecil who were the highest fundraisers and to Team Van Gestel who where this year's most improved fundraisers.

Team Cecil

Highest Fundraisers

Team Van Gestel

Most Improved Fundraisers

Anaconda Bike Winner

We would like to say a big thank you to the following companies who kindly donated items to be given away on the day. Especially to Anaconda, Everton Park who donated a mountain bike which was won by Wilhehmina Clarke (see image above).

Supporters

Alma Park Zoo	Anaconda, Everton Park	Australia Zoo
Bob Jane T-Mart, Chermside	Bob's Convenience Store, Goodna	Brisbane Airport Corporation
Club Crocodile River Queens	Dominos Pizza, Kenmore	Pure Indulgence, Springfield Lakes
RetraVision, Indooroopilly	Sizzler	Stefan
Suncorp Stadium	The Good Guys, Lutwyche	Thumbprints Events
Warner Bros Movie World	Westec Computing	Wood Puzzles, Brendale
Wow Sight And Sound	XIT Distribution Wholesaler	4KQ

What is Riverwalk?

Riverwalk is a 6km charity fundraising event designed to help families with a brain injured person raise funds for specialised therapies and equipment by building around them a team of supporters that help them achieve their goals.

The event is held at Orleigh Park, Hill End Terrace, West End with registration booths open from 8.30am for a 10am start. The walk itself follows the picturesque pathways along The Brisbane River taking in some of Brisbane's finest sights up to the Victoria Bridge, Southbank where the turning point, providing liquid refreshments, is situated. The walk back to the park gives participants the opportunity to enjoy again the tranquillity of The Brisbane River before assembling back at Orleigh Park for a sausage sizzle and some light entertainment. To complete the afternoon's activities there will be trophies presented to teams that raise the most funds and prizes awarded to lucky ticket holders.

Traditionally, the event has been held on the last Sunday in July, but, with the introduction of Brain Injury Awareness Week in Queensland, the event will now be held on the second Sunday in September, which in 2008 will be on the 14^th.

The History of Riverwalk

Riverwalk is one of Queensland's longest running charity fundraising events that dates back 25 years to 1983. Since then, there have been a few fundamental changes along the way.

The event was originally started by a small group of parents dedicated to raising funds for the organisation, who would then distribute funds to families for specialised therapies and equipment as and when required. With the support base for individual families growing, regular donors to the organisation began requesting that their donations be allocated specifically to a particular family. Approval of this action created the first charitable organisation in Australia that guaranteed 100% of monies raised for a brain injured person are dedicated solely to the needs of that person.

This has always an acceptable format to adhere to as the organisation, up until 2006, was operated entirely by volunteers. It was at this point in time that the committee board members decided that it was time to employ personnel dedicated to increasing the fundraising potential of the organisation. This decision prompted the appointment of a Fundraising Manager. Since the appointment, funds raised by participating families have increased by 20%, attendance has increased to over 700 people, and a greater level of involvement by local corporations has been achieved. A new fundraising tool is now available to families participating in the Riverwalk in the form of a personalised fundraising web page that allows donations to be made securely online. Utilising this form of fundraising removes distance as an obstacle and allows fundraisers to approach a wider audience of potential donors. Fundraisers are guaranteed to receive the proceeds of their fundraising, allowing the organisation to continue providing and maximising fundraising opportunities for families that need it most.

The original route of the Riverwalk is not the one we walk today, with the first walk taking place further along the river at Southbank. This route had to be moved due to the increased popularity of the walk and extensive long term construction work along the route. The route was then diverted north, allowing the participants to take in the sights of St Lucia, and families were also able to enjoy a ferry ride across the river as part of the route that concluded at Orleigh Park. Unfortunately, the steep hills along the route proved too difficult for wheelchairs, so another route was required. After much deliberation, it was decided that the Riverwalk should start and finish at Orleigh Park. The park had all of the necessary facilities, the walk along the river to Victoria Bridge and back was unhindered by steep hills, and the distance of 6km was ideal. To this day the venue and route continues to be ideal and capable of absorbing the growing numbers of participants attending each year.