Wheelie Big Day Out 2009

A Challenge of Champions

The Centre for Cerebral Palsy’s Wheelie Big Challenge concluded this year with our annual Wheelie Big Day Out on the 5^th April on the Burswood Park Foreshore.

It was a perfect sunny afternoon with the proceedings commencing with the arrival of Fat Cat. There was much excitement as he emerged from a big red fire truck to greet an adoring crowd of young ones.

Meanwhile on the track there was a lot of anticipation as Champions and visiting personalities lined up to begin the 2009 Wheelie Big Challenge. This year our three relay teams were Cerebral Palsy Champions Peter Hall, Sebastian Anthony and Imran Ariff. Our stars and TV Personalities were Heath Black (7), Mark Readings (9), Narelda Jacobs (TEN) and Olympic Sporting Legends Danielle Woodhouse, Liane Tooth and Damon Diletti - an amazing line up and a race not to miss!

The Wheelie Big Challenge participants (L-R) Danielle, Liane, Mark, Damon, Narelda, Imran, Peter, Heath and Sebastian

 It was a tough battle with the Olympic Sporting Legends (they can’t help themselves!) winning out at the end to take home gold and the Wheelie Big Challenge Perpetual Trophy for 2009.

Battle of the Networks

Celebrities from 7, 9 and TEN generously donated their time to compete in the very popular Battle of the Networks Challenge. Again this year it was a close race with Heath Black’s team winning by a nose.

 (L-R) Narelda Jacobs (TEN), Steve Betts (TEN), Nick Way (TEN), Jamie Freestone (TEN), Mark Readings (9), Mhairi Wheater (9), Heath Black (7), Spencer Flay (9) and Janelle Egitto (TCCP)

Champion Challenges

Congratulations to our Champions who were awarded prizes for the following categories in this year’s event

Largest Team - Team Sarah

Team who raised the most funds - Team Victoria

The Highest Raffle Ticket Seller - Peter Hall

Special Mention to Champion Emma

Our 16th Wheelie Big Champion 10 year old Emma was not able to attend this year’s Big Day Out as she was busy finishing the last leg of her 567km bike ride around the South West. Emma’s ride began on the 28^th March and concluded in Margaret River on the 5^th April to help raise funds towards this year’s Challenge.

Emma took five days to complete her inspirational journey and she had an amazing ride. Proud mum Marie Claude said, “Instead of getting tired she actually loved it more day after day. It was not a walk in the park with the weather not being very cooperative at times and the distances quite challenging some days. But she did it all on her own, didn’t use the “sag wagon” once … and climbed every hill without walking! She even reached another challenge when on one of the 87km days, the Nannup – Augusta leg, she pushed further to the lighthouse to reach 100km in one day. We are very proud of her!”

Congratulations Emma - with the help of your family, the junior and senior schools from St Mary’s and your long list of supporters from seven countries around the globe you raised over $5,000 towards this year’s Challenge!

Our Wheelie Big Day Out would not be possible without the generous help of our volunteers - thanks everyone for an outstanding effort!

Finally thank you to our amazing Champions, their families and supporters for breaking the Wheelie Big Challenge Fundraising Record by raising over $42,000! 

Would you like to nominate a Champion for our 2009/2010 Wheelie Big Challenge? If so we would love to hear from you. To find out more please visit http://www.wheeliebigchallenge.com.au/ or ring Sam Thiele on 9443 0276 or email mailto:sam@tccp.com.au.