On 18 March 2015, Blake O’Neill will again be riding in the Day of a Difference Tour 2015. This year we are heading to Thredbo!

ERA Legal, for the second year running, is the Tour’s Gold Partner, providing support to help offset the substantial costs in safety and effectively running the Tour.

The Day of Difference Foundation

Here’s a little background of the Day of Difference Foundation. The Day of Difference Foundation was founded in 2004 by Ron Delezio and Carolyn Martin following the highly publicised tragic accidents of their daughter Sophie. It is a small non-profit national charity based in Sydney. Revenue is generated by donations, philanthropic grants and sponsorships.

The purpose of the Foundation is to permanently reduce the incidence and impact of children’s critical injury in Australia. These children and their families are socially, economically and physically disadvantaged.

Approximately 1000 children are hospitalised weekly in Australia; more than twice the number of children hospitalised with cancer, diabetes and asthma combined. Injury is the leading cause of death for children aged between 1 and 14. Families’ ability to cope with the stress affects the child’s recovery and quality of life of all family members.

The Foundation’s Paediatric Critical Injury Research Program builds evidence to deliver improved outcomes for critically injured children, their parents and families. This pioneering program, led by Associate Professor Kate Curtis of the Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney will take 6 years and $960,000 to complete. An Australian-first, the program comprehensively explores the challenges faced by these children and their families throughout the trauma journey. It will assess the health-care system’s efficacy in addressing these challenges.

For more information about the foundation please click here.

The Ride

Riders have the option of riding 612km over the five days and climbing between 7,000 and 8,600 metres. For a detailed look at the itinerary click here.

For a detailed look at the route, including a breakdown of distances and elevation over the Tour, please click here.

Fundraising

Please take the time and click on the link below to donate to this fantastic cause. The link will take you to Blake’s personal fundraising page supported by the Day of Difference Foundation. All donations are tax deductible and an email receipt will be sent straight to your inbox.

If you cannot support Blake with a donation, then please send him a message of support!

If you wish to donate please click here.