State Government Victoria Australia Department of Health header
State Government Victoria
Victorian Government Health Information
Health Home
Main A to Z Index | Site Map | About Health  

March 2011

Man holding 2 babies jpeg
Former star Western Bulldog and media personality Luke Darcy and babies Ella and Jack in the Monash Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Business big wheels turn out for Monash children

Melbourne businessmen are nearing the end of a 1,100 Chain Reaction bike ride from Sydney to Melbourne to raise $300,000 for an MRI incubator in the Monash Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The MRI incubator will be the first of its kind in Victoria.

It enables premature sick babies to be monitored, ventilated and kept warm during transportation for MRI scans.

Chain Reaction is a corporate bike ride 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 complete a 1,000 plus kilometre course in seven days.

Ahead of the big ride, a contest between some of the fittest people in Victoria took place at Monash Medical Centre Clayton.

As well as being entertaining, this challenge also raised money for MonashHeart Cardiac Technologist Nick Youngs to participate in the Chain Reaction ride.

Over eight hours, four teams – comprising Chain Reactions riders, MonashHeart staff, Southern Health staff and members of the public – went head to head in an exercise bike challenge with individual riders from both teams battling to see who can go the furthest distance in an hour.

The fundraiser raised about $2,800.

Former AFL star and media personality Luke Darcy competed in the challenge and paid a special visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, visiting patients and their families – many of whom would have benefitted from this vital piece of equipment.