CREST scores a trifecta for charity

Monday, 26 October 2009

CREST assisted the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in the annual walk on 18 October, this year held at Parramatta Park in Sydney. The team provided traffic control at the park’s entrances and guided the walkers around the course. The walk is a lap of the park that weaved its way past games of cricket, kids playgrounds and the historical Government House. At the time of publishing, donations are still possible via their website at http://walk.jdrf.org.au

It was then off to Lake Macquarie on Saturday 24 October where the multisport organisation Max Adventure provided the Great Adventure Challenge for the Starlight foundation. Corporate teams of 4 competed a course from Wangi Wangi to the Watagans and back consisting of kayak, mountain bike and rogaine (running) legs. Teams could swap members from a pool of 8 to complete the course and all had support crews to keep them sustained for the event. CREST operated a safety radiocommunications network between each of the transition areas and also provided timing information back to the start / finish line. Last year’s event raised over $50,000 and organisers are hoping that this year’s total will be a new record.

It was a sea of pink on the Newcastle foreshore the following day where 18 CREST members assisted the Avon Race for Research a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia. 3100 people entered the 5km walk or run along Newcastle’s beaches. CREST provided traffic control, marshalling and safety communications over the course.

CREST’s State Operations Director Des Cottle said “The events are part of our regular yearly programme of events. They allow us to self-train our teams in preparation for times of disaster but also we enjoy supporting other organisations to raise funds for their very valuable work”