Chain Reaction raises record $1.7 million

Chain Reaction is the ultimate corporate bike challenge that raises money for sick children by challenging senior executives who have a passion for cycling and an awareness of their corporate and social responsibilities, to ride a 1,000 plus kilometre course in seven days.

The event was founded in 2007 by KordaMentha Partner Berrick Wilson, after his daughter Milla was rushed to hospital with a brain haemorrhage when she was two days old. Following Milla’s recovery, Berrick was driven by the experience to do something that would allow people in a similar position to himself to assist sick and hospitalised children. As a result, Chain Reaction was founded and it is now the property industry’s largest fundraising event.

Since 2007, Chain Reaction has conducted an annual six to seven day 1,000 kilometre ride where the majority of riders have come from the Melbourne business community. In 2007, 36 riders rode from Adelaide to Melbourne and raised $475,000. In 2008, 36 riders rode from Canberra to Melbourne and raised $773,000. In 2009, 36 riders rode around Tasmania before finishing in Melbourne and raised $651,000 while in 2010, 42 riders rode from Port Macquarie to Noosa and raised more than $860,000.

This year, through the generous support of the corporate sponsors and personal donors, Chain Reaction has raised over $1.7 million which is a fundraising record. The Victorian funds will be shared between Chain Reaction’s major charity partners, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Monash Children’s Hospital and the Queensland funds will be shared between the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Working Wonders.

If you would like to see more photographs and a daily summary from this year’s ride, please visit the Chain Reaction blog at: blog.chain-reaction.org.au