Island kids raise almost $5000 for SurfAid

THE Phillip Island Boardriders Club cadets made a commitment to surf for 30 days straight, despite the conditions to raise money for the Make A Wave in September challenge – raising $4718. 
Vice president of the PIBC Geoff Russell highlighted what an achievement it was. 

“The four cadets and I collectively surfed over 320 surf sessions through the month of September and often in chilly, choppy conditions when most people would turn around and go home.

Congratulations to Hamish Farman, Rylee and Tyler Duell and Tate Russell for joining me in this effort,” said Geoff. 

Make A Wave 2022 saw over 4000 surfers from 28 countries unite to make a wave of impact, improving the health and well-being of families in remote surf communities.

“It has been so epic to watch the second-ever Make A Wave challenge unfold, with so many dedicated young legends getting wet every day - rain, hail, or shine! Thank you so much for joining us and thank you to those who donated.”  

Over $636,000 dollars was raised over the 30 days that will fund healthcare training and support for women and their families, establish clean water facilities and combat malnutrition in children under five. The funds raised are enough to bring Mother and Child health programs to 25 villages.

The SurfAid campaign message states that surfing is important to everyone in the Make A Wave community. Surfing is what gets us up in the morning. Surfing is what unites us with our mates. Surfing is often our refuge when life throws us curveballs. 

The cadets said that they are so grateful to everyone that donated and provided them with motivation to get out there and put on a cold and wet wetsuit day after day. 

“How good is it that we can turn our love for surfing into funds to give back to remote surf communities that need a hand,” said Geoff. 

“A big shout out to the Surfing Victoria Team who represented the Vic surfing community raising a whopping $31,324 and finished the third highest fundraiser across the country.”