Registrations now open for the Future2 Community Cycling & Walking Challenge.

The Future2 Foundation (Future2), the philanthropic arm of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), has announced an exciting new initiative to get financial planners outdoors, active and raising funds for young Australians facing social, physical or financial hardship.

Since its foundation in 2007, Future2 has provided over a million dollars in grants to grassroots organisations around Australia.

As part of the Future2 Community Cycling & Walking Challenge, financial planners and their guests are invited to take on the challenge of walking or riding as far as they can in their local area this November, with funds going towards the Future2 Make the Difference! grant program.

The challenge is open to all financial planning professionals and their family, friends, and clients across Australia. Walkers and riders can participate as an individual or a team.

Walkers and riders will go in the draw to win great prizes as they add up their kilometres over the month of November to recognise the distance they are covering.

Future2 Chair Petra Churcher said: “Our new Future2 Community Cycling & Walking Challenge offers a unique opportunity for FPA members, their families, friends and clients to get involved and support Future2 no matter where they live in Australia whilst improving their own health and fitness.

“During a time of disruption and uncertainty, we know that many not-for-profit organisations and charities are experiencing unprecedented demand for their services.

“This is a fantastic way for the FPA and financial planning community to come together to make a real difference to our local communities and to help young people across Australia who deserve a future too.”

Future2 is delighted to announce that for the third year running, MLC Wealth is the Gold Partner for the Future2 Foundation.

Acting Group Executive, Advice at MLC Wealth, Geoff Rogers said: “MLC Wealth is committed to actively supporting the communities we live and work in. We are proud to once again support Future2 to help raise money for people doing it tough.

“At a time when young people and families are vulnerable and facing unprecedented challenges amidst COVID-19, this partnership is particularly important. We encourage everyone to get involved in the Challenge and show their support.”

Iress has also continued its support of Future2 as a Silver partner.

The Belalberi Foundation is also supporting this initiative.

About Future2 Community Cycling & Walking Challenge

• Sign up to take part in the Future2 Community Cycling & Walking Challenge with a $120 tax-deductible donation.
• More experienced cyclists who wish to ride over 1000km are encouraged to join in the 2020 Future2 Wheel Classic – virtually! You can sign up for the virtual 2020 Future2 Wheel Classic with a tax-deductible donation of $320. You’ll also receive an exclusive commemorative jersey.
• Register and find out more about the Future2 Community Cycling & Walking Challenge.

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The 2019 Future2 Wheel Classic charity bike ride starts this Friday.

The 2019 Future2 Wheel Classic charity bike ride will set off from Melbourne’s DISC Velodrome on Friday 22 November, aiming to surpass previous years’ fundraising efforts for the Future2 Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Now in its 10th year, the Wheel Classic will feature 18 financial planners and other financial services professionals from across Australia (plus support crew), who will ride 819kms over 6 stages.

Leading cycling broadcaster Matthew Keenan will join the riders on the first stage of the ride. Matthew is well known to cycling enthusiasts through his work covering the world’s greatest cycling events including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a Espaňa, and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The riders will travel through the Daylesford Ranges and down to Apollo Bay. The group will ride the famous Amy Gillett Fondo route before cycling the Great Ocean Road and looping back to Queenscliff to catch a ferry to Sorrento, arriving at Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 27 November for the opening of the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress.

Future2 supports young disadvantaged Australians experiencing social, physical or financial hardship. Riders will have the chance to meet some of the Future2 grant recipients past and present along the way including Boroondara Cares in Melbourne and Hello Hurricane in Queenscliff.

The Future2 Hiking Challenge will also take place ahead of Congress, taking hikers to the Grampians mountain range. Departing 23 November, 12 hikers will cover around 17km over two full days (plus travel time from Melbourne to Halls Gap and return) to take in the wild beauty of the diverse landscape.

Future2 Chair, Petra Churcher said: “We are grateful to our partners and for the commitment and generosity of the individual FPA members who take part in the Wheel Classic and Hiking Challenge to raise funds to support Future2.”

Riders have taken on the challenge of each raising $1,500, while hikers will each aim to raise $1,200 to support Future2’s Make the Difference! Grant program. Future2 awarded $191,066 in new grants to 20 not-for-profit organisations in 2019, an increase of more than 5 per cent over last year. Future2 has now committed $1,195,066 in grants since its inception in 2007.

MLC is the Gold partner of the 2019 Wheel Classic and Hiking Challenge. Riders and hikers from MLC include:

• Geoff Rogers, General Manager, MLC Wealth Distribution (rider)
• Carl Wilkin, MLC (rider)
• John Tsihlis, MLC (rider)
• Rosa Velkovski, MLC (hiker)
• Ellen Hickman, MLC (hiker)

MLC staff are contributing to the fundraising effort and are aiming to raise $10,000 by hosting fundraising events for Future2 across their offices in five cities.

Iress, Magellan Financial Group and Pickles are also partners of the 2019 Wheel Classic.

MLC is also the Gold partner of the 2019 Future2 Celebration to be held at the FPA 2019 Professionals Congress on Thursday 28 November.

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