Brisbane’s finest gather to launch the BEYOND Cycling Challenge

On Friday 2nd February, more than 275 of Brisbane’s biggest corporates and CEOs rallied together to celebrate the launch of TRACTION’s first BEYOND Cycling Challenge – an initiative that aims to raise $750,000 to help young people to be empowered and unlock their full potential.   

The afternoon was filled with expert discussion and insights from former Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson AO, leading philanthropist Gayle Evans from the Bryan Foundation, Bray Park State High School Principal Peter Turner, TRACTION’s Impact & Capability Manager Eleesa Johnstone, and Rebound Club founder Kent Ohori. Special thanks to our event emcee Hayley McKew who kept the flow so professionally!

The panel discussed the importance of breaking down barriers for young people, and how showing belief and support will assist our young people to create success for themselves and allow them to thrive in their learning, community and wellbeing. 

 TRACTION Founder Sandy Murdoch said it was excellent to see such a big turnout for Friday’s event with more than 275 guests in attendance.

“It was so fulfilling to see hundreds of people gather in celebration of our first BEYOND Cycling Challenge. We’ve raised more than $361,000 so far, nearly halfway to our goal,” Mr Murdoch said.

 “Our panel had a lasting effect on many of our guests, helping raise awareness of the challenges our young people are facing and where TRACTION can make a difference. Just one of the things said, that was a shock for many in attendance, is that many of TRACTION’s young people cannot identify five safe relationships in their life.

 “When I looked around the room, I could tell this was quite an eye-opening and jarring thing for our guests to hear. This is the hard reality for many of our TRACTION kids though.

Funds raised through the BEYOND Cycling Challenge support TRACTION.

“$750,000 will allow us to help 187 young people participate in the Bike Build Program and have access to safe, reliable people in the form of their TRACTION mentor,” said Sandy.

TRACTION’s Bike Build gets young people ‘on the tools’, in a workshop environment, working shoulder-to-shoulder with a team of trained mentors to experience a sense of success whilst completing hands-on projects, like building their own bike that they get to keep.

“As Bob Atkinson said, the most valuable asset in our community is our young people. They're our most valuable, but they are also our most vulnerable. If we want to help our biggest asset thrive and flourish, we need to provide them with adequate support.

“Our program has helped over 2,400 young people unlock their potential to thrive across Southeast Queensland and I’m excited for the many more young people we’ll be able to help with the funds raised from this challenge,” he said.

The BEYOND Cycling Challenge will see around 40 riders participate in a physically strenuous five-day cycle throughout Southeast Queensland in April, covering a gruelling course, riding 800km and climbing over 10,000 metres – 1,100 metres higher than Mt Everest.

Riders will kick off the first leg in Ipswich, travelling to Toowoomba, Killarney, Cullendore and Carrs Lookout and the Gold Coast before heading back to Brisbane on day five.

All proceeds raised through the BEYOND Cycling Challenge will help TRACTION reach more young people. Tax-deductible donations to support the event can be made via the BEYOND website at https://beyond.traction.community/. 

For more information about TRACTION’s work, which unlocks the potential for young people to thrive, please go to https://traction.community/