Novita’s Mighty River Run is coming to the Murraylands

One of the biggest fundraising events on the River Murray will speed into our region this later this year.

Novita’s Mighty River Run will pass through Mannum and Murray Bridge before finishing at Wellington on November 13.

More than 200 people in 40 boats are expected to take part in the five-day run down the river from Berri.

Together they hope to raise $500,000 to benefit South Australians living with disability, including clients of Novita’s hub in Murray Bridge.

Mighty River Run ambassadors John Riddell and Matthew Robran – yes, the TV presenter and the footballer – launched the fundraising effort in Murray Bridge on April 16.

Mr Riddell could hardly believe 19 years had passed since he, footballer Russell Ebert and radio presenter Jason “Snowy” Carter came up with the idea.

“Jason ‘Snowy’ Carter and I were on the radio at Mix 102.3, and I was telling him about a trip I’d done down the river, just with a group of friends, and he said ‘that’s interesting’,” he said.

“So we came up with the idea.

“He was already working with (what was then) the Crippled Children’s Association, so we straight away dedicated it to Novita.”

Since its inception in 2007, the event has raised almost $7 million.

Each crew is responsible for raising its own funds, and much reach a target of at least $6000 to be able to participate.

Even so, team registrations for the event usually fill up before it is even announced.

Don’t have a boat? Hop aboard a ‘virtual tinnie’

This year, for the first time, supporters of the Mighty River Run will be given an opportunity to take part without needing to take a week off work and get out on the water.

For $30, donors can buy a seat on a “virtual tinnie” and receive updates throughout the run.

All donations to Novita are tax-deductible.

Mr Robran hoped hundreds of people would take advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s an opportunity for people who may not be able to be involved in the physical run,” he said.

“They’ll get some creative material from us, and feel like they’re part of it.”

Fundraiser will change lives of people with disability

Novita CEO Greg Ward said funds raised through the Mighty River Run would help thousands of clients across regional South Australia achieve their goals around therapy, accommodation and community inclusion.

“Living in regional areas can present challenges, but it shouldn’t mean missing out on essential services,” he said.

“For many families, limited access to therapy, assistive technology and community support in regional areas means making tough choices: spending hours on the road to reach services or going without the support they need.

“A significant portion of the cost of providing services in regional communities is not adequately funded by schemes like the NDIS.

“At Novita we are committed to finding ways to ensure people in regional areas can access services where they need them most: in their own communities.”

The event launch at Sturt Reserve was followed by a day of fun activities for Novita’s local clients.

• Donate: mightyriverrun.novita.org.au/donate.
• More information: mightyriverrun.novita.org.au.