Cycling Australia (CA), The Bicycle Federation of Australia (BFA), Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), and BMX Australia (BMXA) have combined to launch 4Wheels4Sean as a national charity dedicated to assisting severely injured cyclists.
The foundation's objective is "to raise funds from the public by way of donations, sponsorship, and the conduct of competitions for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance by way of the gift of money or chattels to permanent residents of Australia who the Trustees identify are in a position of financial need and are in necessitous circumstances as a result of a severe disability acquired whilst cycling."
4Wheels4Sean was launched in 2001 with a goal of providing AUS$50,000 for a specially adapted vehicle foe Sean Fitzgerald, an avid cyclist who became a quadriplegic in a mountain bike accident.
"Sean was presented with his vehicle in 2003 and the fund continued to provide for Australian cyclists in a small way for some years after," said Huw Kingston, Founder of 4Wheels4Sean and Chairman of the charity. "However in recent years the trustees of the 'old' 4Wheels4Sean just did not have the time to drive the charity forward and a decision was made to close it late in 2006. At the 11th hour Cycling Australia were in touch and suggested the charity continue."
Each involved organisation now nominates a board member to 4Wheels4Sean.
"This is a wonderful outcome for Australian cycling and what is most encouraging is that CA, MTBA, BMX, and BFA are enthusiastically working together to position 4Wheels4Sean as 'the' charity supporting cyclists injured cycling. 4Wheels4Sean complements the Amy Gillett Foundation, whose primary role is in injury prevention," said Kingston.
Involved parties were extra motivated to participate in light of the recent serious spinal injuries suffered by BMX World Silver Medalist, Renee Junga and Australian National Road Champion, Paul Crake, in late 2006.
For more information, contact info@4wheels4sean.com.au.
