AUTISM Queensland will reap the rewards of next year’s Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane fun run after being selected as the major beneficiary.

It hopes funding from the 2010 event will help it expand services to 3000 Queensland families. Autism Queensland marketing and fundraising manager Paula Davidson said it hoped to extend services to regional centres such as Cairns and Rockhampton.

“We have extreme waiting lists in those regional areas,” she said.
Funding will be used to support the Kidstart Outreach Early Intervention Programs, which help autistic children aged six years and under.

The programs help parents to understand autism, develop strategies for their children, provide access to therapists and guidance. They focus on communication, behavioural issues and daily skills.

Research shows early intervention can help autistic children develop skills to help them succeed at school.

Autism, a neuro-biological condition, affects one in every 160 children in Australia. Children with autism have problems communicating, socialising, processing information and adapting to changes in their environment.

“We operate at a deficit and for us to be able to raise our profile and also funds is just phenomenal,” Ms Davidson said.

This year’s Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane raised $301,057 for the Heart Foundation.

It also raised $23,400 for other charities. Individual entrants raised a further $241,626. The total raised was $566,083 and 45,281 people took part in the run, a 23 per cent rise on 2008.

Next year’s Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane will be on August 29.

2010 The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane will be held on Sunday 29 August. 

Save the date and hope to see you there.

TWO Queensland research projects will receive a funding boost thanks to the record number of runners in this year’s Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane fun run.

Diamantina Institute researcher Dr Louise Hutley and Professor Kerry Atkinson, of the Mater Medical Research Institute, will receive grants from the proceeds of the August 30 fun run which attracted a record 45,265 entrants.

More than $2.4 million has been raised for charities over the past 12 years.

The Heart Foundation was the major beneficiary of this year’s race, with the total amount raised to be announced within weeks.

Lauren Moran, of Coopers Plains in Brisbane’s south, completed the 10km leg, raising $5682 to make her the biggest single fundraiser. She was 21 when her father had a fatal heart attack just three days after his 46th birthday.

Two research projects have been chosen for funding grants from this year’s fun run.

Dr Hutley’s work could result in an anti-obesity drug being released within five years, potentially reducing the risk of heart attack, given the link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. It is hoped a drug that targets a particular fat tissue could be developed.

Prof Atkinson will receive a grant to further his research into helping heart attack victims recover.

Nominations for potential beneficiaries of next year’s Bridge to Brisbane close on November 11.

QUEENSLAND, you have showed your true heart and deserve congratulations.

More than 45,000 people entered the 2009 Sunday Mail/Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane fun run, smashing all previous race entry record levels and reinforcing the event as No.1 on the calendar of community participation events in Queensland.

This is almost double the 23,000 entrants who registered in 2006, proving just how much we value our health and supporting worthwhile charities.

From elite athletes to part-time joggers and weekend walkers, one thing was certain: everyone was a winner.

The Sunday Mail editor Liz Deegan said every participant deserved to be proud of their effort, regardless of how long it took, or where they finished.

“Our sincere thanks to every single person who helped make this day such a tremendous success and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2010!”

Get The Sunday Mail this weekend to see YOUR NAME and where YOU CAME in The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane lift-out.  

Plus, don’t miss the Channel 9 Bridge to Brisbane special broadcast on Saturday 5  September.

THIS year’s Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane event has attracted a record number of entrants.

More than 41,000 people have so far committed to sacrificing their Sunday sleep-in this weekend to raise money for the Heart Foundation. The number of entrants already surpasses the 36,000 total from 2008.

To ensure an easy passage for entrants in the 10km event, Queensland Rail has five special services, from 5.13am from Bowen Hills to Murarrie, 750m from the start at the southern base of the Gateway Bridge.

The final train at 5.39am is the last service that will get people to the line in time for the 6.25am race start. Tickets can be purchased through Queensland Rail.

There are also 49 buses from the RNA Showgrounds to Murarrie. Tickets are $4 at www.bridgetobris bane.com.au or 1/120 Fison Rd West, Eagle Farm until noon on Saturday or until sold out. Online entries close at 5pm tomorrow. Registrations will be taken at the Eagle Farm race office until noon on Saturday.

The race ends at the RNA Showgrounds with entertainment including former Australia Idol Damien Leith.

EXTRA water stations and water spray guns will help cool down the record number of runners along the course of this weekend’s Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane.

With forecasts predicting hot weather there will be seven water stations – three more than first planned – along the 10km course.

The water stations are up to 40m long, allowing runners to quickly grab a drink as they pass by.

More than 100 volunteers will be kept busy filling cups of water throughout the event.

Water stations will be in place at the start and finish points, with five spaced between.

More than 42,000 people have already entered this year’s fun run, setting a new record.

Hot conditions have been forecast for Sunday, climbing to a maximum of 32C.

Temperatures should be cooler, around 18C, when fun run entrants set off at 6.25am for the full 10km event.

That is set to rise to about 27C by the start of the 5km race at 9.40am.

However, a weather bureau spokesman said there would be some cloud cover on Sunday morning.

He said a hot air mass sitting over the centre of the country, combined with northwesterly winds, would create the hot conditions.

Extra trains will be run to make sure people arrive on time, with Queensland Rail putting on five special services from 5.13am, running from Bowen Hills to Murarrie, 750m from the 10km starting line.

Train services will leave from Bowen Hills at 5.13am, 5.18am, 5.23am, 5.28am and 5.39am.

The fun run will finish at the RNA Showgrounds with entertainment – including a performance by former Australian Idol Damien Leith – yoga and food all on offer.

IT’S an event that is something different for each participant – and a whole lot of fun for everyone.

The 13th annual Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane is on next Sunday, August 30.

A record 40,000 people will take part – almost triple the number of participants just six years ago.

For some, it will be a race over 10km from the Gateway Bridge to the RNA Showgrounds, or over 5km from Kingsford Smith Drive to the same finish line. For others, it will be a morning run, a jog or a walk.

For many, it will be a challenge to see if their hard work and training over recent months enables them to achieve their personal goal.

Liz Deegan, the editor of The Sunday Mail, who will be among the runners, said the event meant so many things to so many people – and not just to those who take part.

Funds from this year’s Bridge to Brisbane will go towards the Heart Foundation’s campaign to save lives.

The Bridge to Brisbane has raised more than $2.4 million for charities in its 12-year history.

Ms Deegan said that total would grow, thanks to amazing support for this year’s Bridge to Brisbane event.

“It is on track to being the biggest and best ever and will be such a wonderful day for the whole city to be proud of,” she said.

“It’s a great way to enjoy a Sunday morning with your family and friends in the name of healthy living, fun and charity.”

The Fanshawe family, of Pullenvale, are among the many thousands who have helped make the Bridge to Brisbane an institution on the Queensland events calendar.

This year’s event holds special meaning for the family. Scott and Melissa have been dedicated to raising funds for charity since the birth of their second youngest son Oliver two years ago.

Oliver’s right eye was removed when he developed glaucoma at just six months old, leaving him legally blind.

The couple’s younger son Charlie also has a vision impairment.

The experience left the family determined to help others, including raising $30,000 for Guide Dogs Queensland.

“We love to support other fundraising events across Brisbane as we know how much it means to the families involved to receive funds for resources to provide ongoing support,” Ms Fanshawe said.

Online entries for the fun run close on Friday but registrations will be taken at the event office at 1/120 Fison Ave West, Eagle Farm, until noon on Saturday.

The cost is $30 for the 10km leg; $25 for 5km. Children in strollers are free.

THE fun doesn’t end at the finish line of The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane next Sunday.

There will be plenty of entertainment at the RNA showgrounds, including live music, a Triple M outdoor broadcast, expo stalls and food vendors.

The highlight will be a performance by former Australian Idol star Damien Leith.

Pop-rock Brisbane band Black Market Rhythm Co will also perform, while children can dance along with Humphrey B. Bear.

Entrants can also tuck in to breakfast, including a Heart Foundation-approved menu option. And there will be plenty of prizes to be won in the random prize draw, including the chance to win a Suzuki Alto.

DETOURS and other traffic measures will be in place to ensure the safety of more than 40,000 people expected to take part in this year’s The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane.

The August 30 fun run, starting on the Gateway Bridge and finishing at the Ekka showgrounds, will affect traffic on roads in Murarrie, Eagle Farm, Breakfast Creek and Bowen Hills.

This year Kingsford Smith Drive will be closed to all traffic between Remora Rd and Breakfast Creek Rd between 5.30am and 11.15am on August 30.

Inbound lanes of Kingsford Smith Drive will be closed to traffic between Links Ave North and Breakfast Creek Rd during the same period.

Other major road closures include Breakfast Creek Rd, between Edmonstone Rd and Kingsford Smith Drive, southbound lanes of the Gateway Motorway at Murarrie between 3am and 9.30am, the Cullen St Gateway Motorway on-ramp, the Fison Ave Gateway Motorway off-ramp, and sections of the Inner City Bypass at Breakfast Creek and Bowen Hills.

A road management plan will be in action on the day, involving traffic controllers, detours and police officers.

This year’s fun run will be the first time that competitors run across the Gateway Bridge without passing toll booths, which have been demolished to make way for electronic tolling.