Fibrosis fundraiser has skin in the game

[Aug. 28, 2020: Joseph Shavit]

A Dunedin dad may soon be getting his kit off for a good cause.

For the month of September, Julian Cox will be jumping on his bike and riding up Signal Hill at least three times every day in a bid to raise $30,000 for Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (CFNZ).

He will be riding an average of 1000 vertical metres every day for 30 days, the equivalent of riding three Mt Everests from sea level.

However, if he reaches his goal, he has promised to ride the final lap completely starkers.

The inspiration for his campaigning comes from his daughter, Rachael, who has cystic fibrosis.

"CFNZ has provided us essential services like medical equipment and field worker support which isn’t funded by the health system," he said.

"But because of Covid-19, the vulnerable cystic fibrosis community is unable to hold its usual fundraisers."

Earlier this year, Mr Cox and his wife, Camilla, rode 1200km from Dunedin to Wellington on a tandem bicycle, towing a coffin, to raise awareness of a campaign to have Pharmac’s funding increased.

He also wanted to use the campaign to raise awareness about Trikafta, an effective but expensive new drug for treating cystic fibrosis that is not at present funded by Pharmac.

This Brighter Side of News post courtesy of The Otago Daily Times at www.odt.co.nz.

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Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand are the only charity in New Zealand dedicated to supporting and improving the quality of life for people with CF and their families. Established in 1968 as a volunteer support group for parents with a newly diagnosed child, they dedicated themselves to shaping a brighter future for everyone with cystic fibrosis.

They receive less than 5% government funding and rely on the generosity of donors, corporate sponsors and grant funders to meet the ongoing needs of their community.