Bank staff go the distance to support cancer survivors

Swapping their briefcases for bikes, Bendigo Bank employees have raised more than $50,000 in Mercer SuperCycle, making a significant contribution to the $350,000 raised in 2015.

11 employees and four volunteers took up the challenge in March to ride 1,000km through South Australia, raising vital funds for The Hospital Research Foundation's Under Our Roof project.

The project will support regional South Australians with two, three-bedroom homes for patients receiving cancer treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and their families, due for completion by August 2015.

The seven day cycling event took participants across South Australia, with overnight stops in Clare, Wallaroo, Port Pirie, Burra, Tanunda and Murray Bridge and more than 25 other communities. The event also gave participants the opportunity to engage with local communities and build team morale, all while supporting a fantastic cause.

Bendigo Bank State Manager SA/NT and SuperCycle participant, Joe Formichella, said the ride was a great way for staff to create awareness through the Bank's network of more than 1,300 employees across SA and NT.

"Regional communities are telling us there are significant challenges that families dealing with cancer face, and we see this as a way to support those families and communities," said Mr Formichella.

"As one of Adelaide's largest employers, there are many things beyond banking that we encourage our people to get involved in. Our Bank has a well-established volunteering culture and it's great that we can partner with Mercer to help families in need.

"For us, this is more than a bricks and mortar project; it's a long term commitment to the community who will benefit from these houses for years to come," he said.

The Hospital Research Foundation CEO, Paul Flynn, said the first Under Our Roof project is within walking distance of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which treats more than 15,000 patients a year in the Day Centre alone, making it one of South Australia's busiest cancer treatment centres.

"Mercer SuperCycle plays a key role in helping to reduce the impact of cancer on country families who may be separated from their loved ones at a very vulnerable stage of their lives," Mr Flynn said.

"Plans are now underway for the next Under Our Roof project which will be located close to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Mercer SuperCycle is a crucial part of making these homes available to families when they need it most."

Bendigo Bank is committed to giving back to local communities and their members with more than 8 million returned to South Australian communities through its Community Bank^® network.

Both a Stage and Team Partner of the 2015 event, Bendigo Bank is one of the leading supporters of Mercer SuperCycle, participating in the event two years in a row.

Supporting projects deemed important by Australian communities is part of Bendigo Bank's commitment to be bigger than a bank.