Riding On Report Autumn 2019

The end of January is fast approaching and it’s time to compose and submit another UCARF report.

 The UCARF national biennial raffle account at this time shows a balance of approximately $14,000.00. There are 111 outstanding books worth $11,100.00 if all were sold and there are 46 books that have not been requested. There will be raffle tickets available to purchase at the National Rally in Mornington. Thank you to the branches and individuals who have been supporting this excellent cause and many thanks to life member and former national treasurer Mike Abberfield who is the raffle administrator.

The raffle winners are as follows:

1st Prize: Craig Garden ticket #01385.  

2nd Prize: Keith Wellfare ticket #01333.

3RD Prize: Steve Longworth ticket #00910

The club is currently involved in the financial process of honouring our sponsorship commitments to RA research centres Sutton Laboratories, IBJR and Monash University.

The following is a list of donations that have been received from various branches and individuals since the last published recognition in the Summer 2018 edition of Riding On. The generosity and support of our great club cause is something we can all be very proud of.

Sunshine Coast Branch $327.00, Wombat Golf Club, on behalf of member Keith Greenland passing $100.00, Southern Cross Tourers $150.00, Darryl Palin, donation on behalf of Bill Chacksfield funeral proceedings $125,00, Lockyer Branch $6,263.00, Hobart Branch $500.70. Torrens Valley Branch, Westgate Wanderers Branch and Grampians Branch $160.00, Woy Woy Peninsular Branch $250.00, Tamar Tourers Branch $500.00, Hills Branch $1,000.00 St George/Sutherland Branch $1.000.00, Redcliffe Branch $1,000.00, Port Macquarie Mid North Coast Branch $500.00, Lake Macquarie Branch $500.00, Warnbro Sound Wanderers Branch $200.00, Burnett Branch $250.00, Torrens Valley Branch $300.00.

The Torrens, Westgate Wanderers and Grampians branches kind contribution was a result of barbeques.

The Warnbro Sound Wanderers branch kind donation was derived from various raffles.

Sadly, Keith Greenland and Bill Chacksfield were members that I was very fond of and have known for many years. Both were true gentlemen and will be sorely missed.

On an invitation from Hills Branch I attended their January social meeting and was presented with a $1,000.00 cheque for UCARF. Hills branch are long term proud supporters. The branch winners of the Jo Dearnley Memorial Award and the Good Joint Award 2018 have been identified and the appropriate shields are being engraved and the relevant trophies produced. The awards will be presented at the opening ceremony on the completion of the grand parade.

There were six branches that donated $3,000.00 or more during 2018 and were in the running for the awards that is very impressive. This does not diminish the generosity of the many branches that supported UCARF according to their ability and the collective funds are vital to the ability of the club to sponsor rheumatoid arthritis research. It would be wonderful if every branch in the club got behind the cause. Please note that as the coordinator I am happy to accept any donations including those which are the cost of a cup or mug of flat white.

I have committed to travel to Queensland early April to attend the Lockyer Branch social meeting to talk on UCARF and thank the branch in person for their tremendous support which has occurred over a number of years. An invitation to attend the Mornington Peninsular Rally as a guest has been eagerly accepted by Professor Eric Morand of Monash University. It is planned for Eric to be a pillion in the Grand Parade and to be involved with UCARF award presentations thereafter. At the AGM Eric has been requested to give a brief talk on rheumatoid arthritis research. I will leave you with a quote that is sadly all too real for RA sufferers. I’m too functional to be disabled and too disabled to be functional.

Kim Kennerson
UCARF Coordinator,

#6929 L.M. 14.