Charity bike ride to support Give Me 5 For Kids launched as Aura celebrates second suburb milestone

A major fundraising event supporting the Give Me 5 for Kids initiative on the Sunshine Coast has been launched in conjunction with the official opening of the second suburb at Stockland’s $5 billion Aura community.

The Give Me 5 for Kids Ride for Kids, to be staged on the brand new streets of Aura Central on Sunday, 26 May, will be the new precinct’s first community event and will kick off 92.7 Mix FM’s annual month-long Give Me 5 for Kids fundraising campaign on the Coast to assist local hospital foundation Wishlist.

The event was announced during a special ceremony to officially open Aura’s second bridge leading into Aura Central, the future heart of the community.

Adrian Allen, Regional Manager at Stockland, said the Give Me 5 for Kids Ride for Kids complemented Stockland’s vision for Aura as a national cycle city showcase of infrastructure that will ultimately include a 200 kilometre network of cycleways for safe and environmentally-friendly travelling.

“We are proud to be hosting this exciting event on our new streets at Aura Central and our support will ensure 100 per cent of the money raised for this year’s ride goes directly to Wishlist,’’ Mr Allen said.

“Our aim is for Aura to become Australia’s most sustainable and liveable city and the strong demand that we have experienced since sales launched three years ago is proof that our vision is resonating with buyers.

“Aura Central is expected to become an employment hub that will eventually generate 6,000 ongoing jobs, and the completion of the Aura Boulevard Bridge is part of Stockland’s $1.3 billion Infrastructure Agreement to support the development of our community.

“Creating the amenities for our residents to lead active and healthy lifestyles is part of Stockland’s commitment to building strong, well-connected communities, so it is very fitting that the Ride for Kids features as Aura Central’s first community event.’’

Wishlist Chief executive officer Lisa Rowe said funding was needed to obtain life-saving equipment to transfer sick children between regional and metropolitan hospitals more quickly, as well as support the Coast’s Clown Doctor service and yoga therapy program.

“We are pleased to have Stockland’s support for this event and I would encourage everyone to take part to help kids who are doing it tough on the Coast,’’ Ms Rowe said.

The Give Me 5 for Kids Ride for Kids will consist of four separate rides from an hour-long community bike ride to a kids dash and elite races, with money raised through entry fees as well as individual sponsorships. Corporate entries are also being encouraged.

The Sunshine Coast-based Australian Cycling Academy, which competes internationally, is a key partner of the event and encourages the local cycling community to support Ride for Kids.

To register for the Give Me 5 for Kids Ride for Kids, visit www.giving.wishlist.org.au/bikeride.

The new two-lane bridge leading into Aura Central spans 120 metres across Bells Creek North and features a dedicated Veloway for cyclists and a pedestrian path, along with a wide landscaped verge underneath that will serve as a “frog highway” and a pathway for other fauna to safely travel through the creek corridor.

So far, around 10 kilometres of cycling and walking paths and eight kilometres of roads have been created in the new precinct, which will allow building to begin on the first homes.

Upon completion, Aura Central will feature a 90-hectare City Centre, the People’s Place including a South Bank-style parkland, and a range of sporting and education facilities as well as the residential precinct which is currently under construction.

Aura was recognised as the fastest selling residential community for land sales in Australia in 2018, with more than 70 per cent of lots released having sold since sales launched at Aura Central early last year.

For more details on Aura go to www.cityofcolour.com, phone 1300 762 058 or visit the Aura Sales and Information Centre at 1 Lukin Terrace, Baringa. You can also keep up with the community’s progress on Facebook at www.facebook.com/auraqld