Riding On Report Spring 2021

“Rheumatoid Arthritis” is a combination of words I do not wish to be said to anyone. Arthritis is bad enough in its other forms but with the addition of Rheumatoid just makes it that more deadly, hence why Stephen (Old #1) took on the task of raising funds for research through the Ulysses Club Inc. UCARF is the result! The following is a listing from May to the end of July outlining the generosity of members/branches across this vastland of ours and the desire from them to carry on the vision of Stephen Dearnley.

As all would be aware, we Australians have been under pressure as a nation with lockdowns, restrictions and fear of a virus that can strike without notice. This also has affected the club at not only local level bit in the National Office. If you haven’t received your Thank yous and receipts for donations, it is because the Ladies in the Office haven’t been able to get into it! And when they do, they must prioritise the critical from the really urgent then move onto the really must get it done categories. As you can imagine, sending a receipt IS important  but someone’s membership is of more importance! So please be understanding and a little patient when things slow down during these times we are currently going thru.

Donations received in no order whatsoever:

Melbourne Branch $500.00, Brisbane Branch $750.00, Tim Hobson $1000.00, SEQ Odyssey Taroom $2000.00, Orange AGM Rally $1236.00, Northern Beaches Branch $10000, Jen Woods $132, Mystery (Orange Branch) $200.00 + $192.00 + $1068.00, Shearwaters Branch $1000.00, Richard Bouchier $1000.00, Mike Abberfield $37.00, Newcastle Lower Hunter Branch $30.00, David Scott $200.00, Orange Branch $1000.00, Northern Gateway Branch $112.70, Wagga Wagga Branch $1000.00, Ulysses Patch Campaign $250.00.

The $10,000 donation by Northern Beaches Branch is particularly noteworthy. It was done at the Orange AGM but with the illness of Kim preventing his attendance and my nervousness of taking over UCARF it was completely missed On. The fact that it is of considerable value is not the reason for this notation but the why of the donation. A member made an announcement to his branch that UCARF was running shy of funds and he put forward money to be donated on their behalf. Greatest admiration. THANK YOU.

Outside the above dates I was made aware of a donation of $313.00 from members Jackie & Kevin O’Donoghue. It related to the cancellation of the RV Groups AGM at Cohuna. Instead of a refund, they requested a donation to UCARF. Again, THANK YOU.

The donations received from Ulysses Patch Campaign is a personal venture by Ken Eaton which is totally supported by the Club. His website is ucarf.com and there is a facebook site as well. Ken gives a great discount to those that purchase in bulk to sell through their branch as well. There is more to Ken than meets the eye, apart from sitting on our current National Committee, hop onto his sites and have a read of his profile and while you are there, it would be a great time to place an order maybe?

UCARF receives greatly varying values but the one most important thing to remember, is that ALL monies received are gratefully received and ALL monies help. Please keep on doing what you can in raising funds by activities like garage sales etc or by flicking a spare $ or 2 from your raffles to us as it quickly adds up to a powerful amount to fight the fight against Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Yours faithfully
Ian ‘Foggy’ Winter
UCARF Coordinator,
#53026 TM#59