TASSIE DADS UNITE ON THE EDGE FOR CONTINUED COMMUNITY SUPPORT AROUND LOCAL MEDICAL RESEARCH
The much-anticipated EDGE abseil for local medical research has quickly become an iconic event on the RHH Research Foundation fundraising event calendar, with the inaugural Father’s Day event, held in 2020, the most successful yet. Once again, in 2021 members of the Tasmanian community are jumping on board and “Doing it for a Dad”, or as a Dad, all in the interests of a healthier Tasmanian community.
While for many years this has been a winter event, the slightly “edgier” version in September gives hope for some sunshine and calm abseiling weather. There’s an added element of inspiration as the event aligns with Father’s Day, giving opportunity for families to come together and cheer along on those giving back to the Tasmanian community while also conquering all 70 metres of the Wrest Point Tower.
On Sunday 5 September 2021, assisted by outdoor adventure specialists, Aardvark Adventures, participants will scale Wrest Point Tower to raise vital funds for the RHH Research Foundation, an independent entity that invests funds to support local health and medical research right here in Tasmania.
Participants are capped at 60 and some brave thrill seekers will face their greatest fears by abseiling off the top of Tasmania’s tallest building. While experiencing “The EDGE”, they will be contributing to vital local medical research while also having the chance to say thank you and honour a Dad who has been a part of their life, or indeed celebrating being a Dad themselves.
The RHH Research Foundation has welcomed a great mix of well-known Tasmanian ambassadors over the years in the arts, sports and medical science sectors. And this year is no exception, with the focus on two hardworking, genuine and committed ‘regular Tassie dads’ coming together to rally their communities behind the statewide fundraiser for the entire Tassie community, young and old.
RHH Research Foundation CEO Heather Francis said the EDGE abseil for medical research is the largest fundraising event in the Foundation’s annual calendar and the team are absolutely thrilled to announce the newest ambassadors for 2021. We warmly welcome 2020 Tasmanian Australian of the Year Local Hero, Tommy Windsor, and also TasDads Community group co-founder “Dadministrator”, Brennan Wilson, to the Edge Goers community. They are joining a committed group that has been building awareness and raising thousands of funds for local medical research since first launching this iconic event in 2013.
“Tommy and Brennan are two young, dedicated Tassie guys and Dads who have both made an impact locally. We are grateful that they want to be a part of our event and can’t wait to watch their fundraising journey unfold in the lead up to the moment they sit on that “very high” edge with an amazing view of the city they both know and love.
“All funds raised from the EDGE abseil will help ensure that more vital medical research can be undertaken in Tasmania by our passionate local researchers who are focusing on those conditions and diseases that are most prevalent across this state. We will be encouraging participants to “Do it for Dad’, but of course “Do it for local medical research” too, that’s our key purpose!
Tommy Windsor is a proud Tasmanian who has already achieved so much through a passion for fundraising to make the Tassie community a better place. Dedicated to raising awareness and funds for major health issues affecting men, including depression and prostate cancer, he has a genuine drive to advocate for medical research in Tasmania.
While research into mental health is close to his heart, as a Dad himself, he is keen to support researchers exploring a broad range health issues that impact Tasmanians, including mental health research.
"When you support medical research through the RHH Research Foundation, you are helping to build better health for all Tasmanians, now and into the future. The research is broad and the need for research is real.”
“I love being outdoors with family and friends and the idea of being involved in and supporting an abseil raising funds for medical research, while looking over a city I love, that was a no brainer for me,” Mr Windsor said.
Brennan Wilson is co-founder of TasDads, a group dedicated to promoting positive parenting, providing access to resources, and supporting Tasmanian fathers and father figures.
“At TasDads, our underlying vision is for all dads and father figures in Tasmania to feel confident, supported, happy, and healthy.
“We’re so excited to be ambassadors for Do It For Dad and taking part in the Edge abseil to raise funds for medical research to help dads and families in Tassie. Launching ourselves down the side of a building in the name of dads just seems like the next logical step in our mission,” Mr Wilson said.
Those thrill-seekers interested in experiencing The EDGE in 2021 are encouraged to email research@rhhresearchfoundation.org or call (03) 6166 1310. Participants will need to raise a minimum of $500 to participate in the abseil, however most people raise much more than that thanks to generous support from the local community.
Registrations are now open with a non-refundable $50 fee to register. Space is limited, so early registrations are encouraged to avoid disappointment.
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