Wings of hope

AROUND 150 homing pigeons will take to the sky later this month in the hope of raising $115,000 for vital equipment for South West Healthcare.

Community partnerships manager at South West Healthcare Suzan Morey with Beyond Bank’s Grant Howland and Warrnambool Racing Pigeon Club members Kevin Ashworth (vice-president) and Darren Bolden (president) are all looking forward to the ‘Great Australian Pigeon Race’ fundraiser.

‘The Great Australian Pigeon Race’ will take place on Sunday, August 30.

This unique event is being held to celebrate the centenary of the Warrnambool Racing Pigeon Club and to help raise the money needed to purchase a new Prostate Cancer Detector System for the Warrnambool Base Hospital.

According to event coordinator and community partnerships manager at South West Healthcare Suzan Morey, it is hoped the general public and local businesses will get behind the event and sponsor a bird.

“These beautiful birds have small wings but big hearts, and we’re hoping the hearts of those in our community will once again get behind this very worthwhile fundraiser,” Ms Morey said.

“The race is certainly a very unique one. The pigeons will compete in a 320 kilometre flight from Lascelles to Warrnambool via the Little Desert, Grampians National Park and the volcanic plains of western Victoria to Warrnambool.”

According to Ms Morey, there are three ways to be involved:

individuals can pay $50 to sponsor one of the 150 pigeons in the race;
businesses can pay $150 for the naming rights to one of the 150 pigeons in the race;

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businesses can pay $200 to both name and sponsor one of the 150 pigeons in the race.

“As well as the prestige and bragging rights that go with being associated with the race winner, there is also $2,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.”

Both the sponsor and the naming rights business of the fastest pigeon will receive $500.

The sponsor and the naming rights business of the second placed pigeon will each receive $250.

The sponsor and naming rights business of the third placed pigeon will receive $150.

And for the sponsor and naming rights business of the 100th placed pigeon, a $100 cash prize will be awarded.

“It’s certainly going to be a lot of fun and will no doubt attract great interest and plenty of laughs, and we’re very grateful to all those who will have pigeons participating,” Ms Morey said.

“It’s great recognition for the racing pigeon club’s centenary and also a wonderful opportunity to raise the funds needed for this important piece of equipment.”