Australia’s new campaign aims to fund Paralympians

“While the APC is grateful for the government funding it receives, it does not stretch far enough to funding the delivery of the teams to the Games. In fact, over a third typically comes from public donations, which is why the campaign is such a vital part of the APC’s success.”

Six of Australia’s Paralympic athletes have been unveiled as the faces of a new fundraising campaign from the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) urging members of the public to “pledge their belief” in the Australian Paralympic team.

The “Believe” campaign has been developed to raise the vital funds required by the APC to send Australia’s Paralympic athletes to future Games. As a charity, the APC sees the campaign as a vital part of its fundraising efforts in 2014 and onwards.

The initiative gives the public the opportunity to pledge their belief in an individual athlete or team. The six athletes fronting the campaign include wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley, swimmer Ahmed Kelly, alpine skier Victoria Pendergast, cyclist Alexandra Green, swimmer Jesse Aungles and wheelchair rugby player Chris Bond.

All donations will go towards helping the APC’s talented pool of athletes reach their full potential and achieve success at the Paralympic Games.

“Believe it or not, more than half the Australian population doesn’t realise the APC is a charity that needs to fundraise to send the Team to each Paralympic Games,” said Jason Hellwig, CEO of the APC.

“Whilst results are important, making sure that athletes get the chance to compete in the first place is essential. That’s why the ‘Believe’ campaign is so important as we head towards the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi in March and on to Rio in 2016. Every cent counts and we’re urging the public to dig deep and give generously.”

Alpine Skier and Sochi 2014 Paralympic competitor Pendergast believes that without the support of the public, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to live her dream.

“Alpine skiing has taken me to amazing places, made me a stronger person and provided me with a passion I love,” she said. “Without the public’s donations to the APC, my skiing career wouldn’t have been possible. I’m extremely appreciative of the belief that people put in me every day and I will be putting my all into representing my country and doing Australia proud at Sochi.”

The APC has set an ambitious fundraising target of AU $200,000 to be reached before Sochi 2014.

“There’s no doubt we’re aiming high but we’re no strangers to determination and sheer hard work,” Hellwig said. “We have every confidence that our athletes can go all the way and we promise to do our all to get them there – but we need Australia’s help.

“While the APC is grateful for the government funding it receives, it does not stretch far enough to funding the delivery of the teams to the Games. In fact, over a third typically comes from public donations, which is why the campaign is such a vital part of the APC’s success.”

The campaign website includes the inspirational stories of all the athletes and teams involved in the campaign and an online donation form where members of the public can pledge their belief by choosing to make a one-off or regular contribution.

It is expected that over time, the campaign will be extended to include additional athletes.