Viva Energy and MACA join forces

For the eighth year in a row Viva Energy will participate in the newly titled “MACA Cancer 200” being held from 26-27 October.

Employees from both Viva Energy and MACA will team up to cycle 200 km from Perth to Mandurah over the two day event.

The ride aims to raise vital funding towards cancer research and other areas of human health at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth, Western Australia.

Viva Energy Key Account Manager Paul Russell said Viva Energy’s sponsorship of the ride was a tangible way of giving back to the community, which is aligned with the overall Viva Energy Community program.

“Not only does the ride raise vital funds for ground-breaking cancer research and innovation, it also presents a great networking opportunity and team building exercise for Viva Energy employees.”

The cycling force of Viva Energy and MACA

Paul Russell said that Viva Energy has a long standing relationship with MACA spanning over 15 years.

“The relationship is built on having a strong partnership and through the success of both businesses that relationship has flourished over the years,” he said.

“This has developed into MACA’s program with the ride to conquer cancer and Viva Energy’s continued support and participation in the event.”

MACA’s Executive Director, Geoff Baker said Viva Energy had assisted by showing strong support for the ride.

“Viva Energy have been a stand-out supporter of MACA. In particular when we introduced Viva Energy to the ride, the way they accepted it and the way they engaged has been second to none,” he said.

Paul said eight-hundred participants competed in last year’s ride, raising a total of $4.1 million dollars for the Harry Perkins Institute.

“Last year the Viva Energy team raised a total of $76,806. The team of riders raised $26,806 and Viva Energy topped this up with a $50,000 corporate donation,” he said.

“The corporate donation tops up the individual fundraising efforts of Viva Energy employees who may find it difficult to hit the $2,500 individual target.”

This year, Paul will participate in his fifth ride and says the fundraising has become easier each year.

“I have approached the same people each year I have participated and have found they are donating more year after year,” he said.

Viva Energy employees have a reason to ride

So many of us know someone close to us, or even ourselves, that has been impacted by cancer.

"Before the age of 85, one in two Australians will suffer from cancer."

Viva Energy Sales Manager Mark Illingworth said this year he would participate in his fourth ride and that the event had an even greater significance to him this time around.

“Since January two of my family members have been diagnosed with cancer. The 200 km ride is nothing compared to the emotional and physical challenges they face,” he said. 

“I know the money raised will support the amazing work the Harry Perkins Institute does for cancer research.”

Viva Energy Key Account Manager Travis Clohessy said the ride was especially meaningful to him because his step dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2018.

“He is in the fight of his life. The least I can do to support him and so many others battling this dreadful disease is ride 200 km.

_{Source: Statistic from Cancer Council Website: https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/facts-and-figures.html}