Local GP, Dr Elly Warren, and her Alpine Everesting team of 27 cyclists completed an Everesting Roam challenge in High Country Victoria in January.
They rode more than 400km to a height of 10000m within 36 hours! Starting at 6am on Friday, they cycled 5 laps of the magnificent Mt Buffalo, approx. 170km, 5,000m elevation. A quick dinner and sleep allowed for not much recovery before beginning the Alpine Classic event at 4am on Saturday. This took them around a hilly 250km loop from Bright to Mt Hotham, Omeo and Falls Creek before climbing Tawonga Gap and descending into Bright before 6pm the same day.
20 women completed the challenge, adding their names to the Everesting Hall of Fame alongside only another 29 women in the world. The Alpine Everesting team included the oldest woman to have ever complete such a challenge, at age 57! It’s never too late to chase a world record like this!
The Alpine Everesting team rode to raise awareness about the cancer disparities that exist for First Nations people who are 40% more likely to die from cancer than other Australians. Cancer screening rates are 20% lower and the Aboriginal community experiences reduced access to treatment and supports due to a range of individual, social and health system factors.
Dr Elly’s team raised more than $90,000 to fund an Aboriginal Health Worker Cancer Navigator position to provide cultural support and break down the barriers to access for First Nations people living on Darkinjung country. The money will directly improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families on the Central Coast!
Dr Elly Warren works as a GP at Your Family Doctors in Erina and Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre in Wyong. She can often be found cycling on our beautiful Central Coast back roads or in heavy traffic, any time of the day or night. Keep an eye out and give her a friendly wave as you pass by!
You can still donate to Alpine Everesting or purchase their beautiful fundraising items created in a unique design by Wiradjuri artist, Jodi Shannon, who lost her nephew to cancer aged 5yo.
All proceeds go towards closing the cancer gap.
www.alpineeveresting.com.au
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