Three hundred and sixty yoghurts, 169 litres of milk, 15kg of butter, 30kg of bananas, 25kg of ham – this is just a small snapshot of what it takes to feed 550 cyclists, volunteers and supporters on the epic three-day Australian Retirement Trust Cardiac Challenge.
And the food is being provided by IGA stores across the region, which is providing a $10,000 donation to help power the journey.
The donation of groceries, to be presented at Cornett’s IGA Gordonvale on Friday 18 September, will help feed riders, volunteers and support crews during the 2026 Australian Retirement Trust Cardiac Challenge, reducing event costs so more fundraising dollars can be directed to life-saving cardiac equipment and services for local patients.
This year’s event marks a major milestone, celebrating 20 years of the Cardiac Challenge, which is hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. Since the ride began, participants have raised more than $6 million to improve cardiac care across Far North Queensland, funding equipment and services that are helping save lives closer to home.
Most recently, Cardiac Challenge fundraising delivered a $250,000 ComboLab cardiac monitoring system at Cairns Hospital, helping specialists diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms with greater precision.
The Foundation is now raising funds for its next major cardiac initiative – a $3.7 million CT Coronary Angiography Project that will provide clinicians with advanced diagnostic technology to support patients experiencing chest pain and ongoing cardiac conditions.
Cornett’s IGA Supermarkets Operations Executive Manager Brett Leishman said the partnership reflected IGA’s long-standing commitment to supporting local communities.
“The Cardiac Challenge is far more than a bike ride. It’s a community movement that has been changing lives across Far North Queensland for two decades,” Mr Leishman said.
“IGA is proud to contribute $10,000 in groceries to support the hundreds of riders and volunteers taking part this year. Every dollar saved on event costs is another dollar that can be invested into better cardiac care for local families.
“Our stores have proudly supported the Cardiac Challenge since it began in 2007, and we encourage the community to get behind the riders, donate if they can, and cheer them on as they make their way to Cooktown.”
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said partnerships like IGA’s played a crucial role in maximising the event’s impact.
“It takes an enormous amount of planning and support to move more than 550 people from Cairns to Cooktown over three days. Contributions like this help make the event possible and ensure that more of the funds raised by participants go directly towards improving cardiac services for our region,” Mrs Hogan said.
“We’re incredibly grateful to IGA for standing alongside our riders, volunteers and support crews as we celebrate 20 years of the Cardiac Challenge and continue working towards the next generation of cardiac care.”
The 2026 Australian Retirement Trust Cardiac Challenge takes place from September 19 to 21. For more information visit www.cardiacchallenge.com.au
Photo: Cornetts IGA Gordonvale Store Manager Samantha Hallett, Cardiac Challenge instigator Pete McNally and Foundation Fundraising & Marketing Manager Jenny Coates.
