More than $38,500 and counting raised for Albany Community Hospice at 2024 Spinathon

More than $38,500, and counting, has been raised for the Albany Community Hospice at the 2024 annual Spinathon. The Hospice initially set a fundraising goal of $24,000 this year, which it has already surpassed, and now hopes to beat last year’s efforts of $41,800. More than 170 participants took part in the annual cycling event to raise money for the community-funded hospice that provides palliative care to terminally ill people. The fundraiser took place on the Albany Marina foreshore near Haz Beanz over Saturday and Sunday. The difference between the funding the Hospice receives and the daily cost of a bed is $285. The 2023 fundraising effort covered that financial gap for about 120 one-day stays. Mother and daughter duo Tammy and Isabelle Bemben continuously cycled for 24 hours. Millie Bemben, 11, joined her mother and sister for the first time, cycling continuously for 14 hours for the cause and vowing to ride longer for Spinathon 2025. Speaking to the Advertiser after the bell was sounded on Sunday to end the cycling, all three Bembens said they were “tired and sore” and “stuffed”, having been sustained on a diet of sweets during the ride. The Southern Salties raised the most money for the fundraiser with $12,209, followed by Spin Cycle with $6544 and Tammy Bemben with $5168. Donations can still be made until Monday online at https://www.mycause.com.au/events/spinathon.