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Champion Doctor up for the Challenge
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1 December 2004
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Veteran paddler of 27 years, Normanhurst resident Margaret Cook is ready to defend her title on the Murray River in the Herald Sun Red Cross Murray Marathon for the 5th time this December.
After beginning paddling at the age of 21, Margaret now aged 48 is preparing to compete in the 404 kilometre five day event over the Christmas period. Entering in the Veteran Ladies doubles with her paddling partner Merridy Huxley, Margaret won the 2003 event with a time of 32 hours and 52 minutes. But Margaret also enjoys the friendly atmosphere and challenge that the event brings.
'The challenge is not only to complete the distance but to do it in as quick time as possible. We love meeting fellow paddlers with similar aims, and kayaking is a great way to see the Victorian Murray Region' said Margaret.
According to Andrew Hilton, Executive Director, Australian Red Cross, Victoria, the Marathon assists individuals on many levels.
'The Marathon offers all types of people the chance to feel good about supporting Red Cross while having really good fun and a challenging sporting experience,' said Mr Hilton.
A local doctor in the Berowra Heights region, Margaret enjoys the pleasure of introducing others to the sport. She has frequently taken groups of teenage girls kayaking for fun, in pursuit of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
'I enjoy taking teenagers on Duke of Edinburgh Award kayaking expeditions and have done now about 15 trips with various numbers of girls' said Margaret.
By entering the Herald Sun Red Cross Murray Marathon Margaret continues to assist those in need. Each of the 700 paddlers in the race are required to meet a specific fundraising target, often through corporate sponsorship and the Red Cross Murray Marathon Raffle where the prize is a car. In 2004 Margaret conducted a movie night at the local cinema in Hornsby, selling almost 200 tickets and raising $1,000 for the Red Cross.
This year it is hoped the Marathon will raise $200,000 for the Australian Red Cross, with funds raised supporting Red Cross activities, such as disaster and emergency services and first aid training.
'The funds raised from this event are crucial to providing services for the local community' said John Powell, Group Manager of Fundraising, Australian Red Cross, Victoria 'The Red Cross would not be able to provide essential services such as disaster support and first aid training in the Hornsby community without the help of volunteers like Steve.'
The Murray Marathon begins on December 27 in Yarrawonga, Victoria. It is a 404 kilometre paddling event, finishing in Swan Hill just in time for the New Years Eve celebrations.
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Media contacts:
Lisa Fitzgerald
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Australian Red Cross
Telephone 03 8327 7755
Mobile 0400 696 432
viccomms@redcross.org.au
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