We all need medical help at some point – or know someone who does.
Joe and Sally Serre’s two daughters have been grateful recipients of care at Cairns Hospital and this year their parents have decided to do something to help out the staff and other patients.
Keen motorcyclist Joe has, for the first time, registered for the Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster, being held in mid-May.
“After spending the last week in the ER and paediatric ward with our two-year-old (Matilda) with a cellulitis infection from a mossie bite (that became a staph infection), it has reinforced why I am part of this ride and assisting in raising money for the FNQ Hospital Foundation,” Joe said. “The staff at the Cairns Hospital during our stay were fantastic and we can’t fault the professionalism of nursing staff at the paediatric ward,” he said.
Not only has little Matilda experienced health issues, older sister Shakira, now 6, suffered febrile convulsions until she was about 18 months old and had her tonsils removed. “I remember seeing the stickers on equipment ‘This equipment was donated by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’ and that has always stuck with me,” Mr Serre said.
“We had some really scary times when Shakira was little but the staff were always wonderful. Both our daughters were born at the Cairns Hospital and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about them.” Joe bought a new Harley Davidson this year and has so far raised more than $3000 for the Motorcycle Muster.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation CEO Tony Franz welcomed the Serre family to the ride, saying their passion and dedication to health services was heart-warming.
“It is people like this – ordinary, every day people, who raise money and help make a difference to patients’ lives,” Mr Franz said.
On May 16, the ride will leave from Cairns Hospital "D" Block and travel south through Innisfail and Ingham. Lunch will be at the historic "Pub with No Beer", The Lees Hotel Ingham followed by a tour through the cane fields west of Ingham before finishing at the Hinchinbrook Marine Cove Motel, Dungeness. Riders on each bike will fundraise a minimum $300 for the event, which has been running since 2002.
Since the first ride to Townsville, the Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster has conducted annual fundraising trips to a range of scenic locations, including Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Port Douglas, Cooktown and Undara. Funds raised this year will go towards the new integrated patient medical record and television system in Cairns Hospital’s surgical ward. Register now at www.motorcyclemuster.com.au.
