THE Cure Kids Fiji 500, supported by Mastercard, successfully raised about $120,000 for the Fiji Oxygen Program.
The annual 500 kilometre charity event around Viti Levu brought together 20 cyclists from New Zealand, who took part in a gruelling four day cross-island trek covering Nadi, Rakiraki, Suva and Sigatoka from July 31 to August 3.
Cure Kids Fiji board member and cyclist Reuben Tucker said they were happy to be part of an important cause that contributed to the wellbeing of Fijians.
“We have had a great four days, and the weather has been fantastic,” Mr Tucker said.
“The whole team consisted of 20 riders and seven are first timers and they’ve had a great ride,
“Everyone just loved seeing parts of Fiji, and you would normally get to see as a tourist to this great country.
“These things that keep bringing people back, the smiles on everyone’s faces as we are going around the island in the big towns and small villages, everyone is just so happy to see us and cheering us on.
“And later in the day when you are getting tired, that is the thing that keeps everyone going.”
Mr Tucker said the cyclists also visited local hospitals and health centres.
“It was great to be able to show the team some of the hospitals, health centres where the funding gets used as part of the oxygen program and it is great to be part of such an important cause making a difference here to people in Fiji.
“Good news is that we are still fundraising as we cross the finish line, we are around $F120,000 and still growing.
“So, we will keep going for the next few weeks and raising more funding from what we have done, and we are looking forward to 2027.”
Fiji Oxygen Program is a partnership between Cure Kids Fiji and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. It replaces heavy, expensive oxygen gas cylinders with portable bedside oxygen concentrators and custom solar-power systems to provide reliable, life-saving respiratory care in remote and local health facilities. The charity fundraising event was sponsored by Mastercard, Accor Group of Hotels, Fiji Water, Modus Living NZ, and Specialized Bicycles.
