Future2’s annual cycling fundraiser, the Wheel Classic, takes to the road next month (13-19 November). It is a seven day, 1,050 km ride from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road.

Over 30 cyclists – most of them financial planning professionals – will complete their seven-day journey by riding into the welcome event of the Financial Planning Association’s (FPA) Professionals Congress (19-21 November) in Adelaide. Congress delegates from the financial planning community will greet them at the event along with guest of honour, Senator Mathias Cormann.

Along with the achievement of riding 1,050 km, the participants of the Wheel Classic hope to have the great satisfaction of having raised $100,000 to give disadvantaged young Australians a brighter future. Half of the funds raised have been contributed by corporate partners: the FPA (Silver partner), AMP Financial Planning (Gold partner), and Matrix Planning Solutions (Silver partner). The remainder is being raised by the cyclists, with $35,000 already secured.

FPA CEO Mark Rantall welcomed the opportunity to work with AMP Financial Planning and Matrix Planning Solutions to support Future2 – the foundation of the FPA: “Future2 is another way that financial planners can make a positive difference to the lives of those in need and give back to the communities in which they work. We are extremely proud of Future2 Foundation’s flagship fundraiser, which has raised over $400,000 over the last four years.”

AMP Financial Planning Managing Director Michael Guggenheimer commented on the importance of the fundraising initiative in supporting disadvantaged youth.

“For financial planning professionals, our focus is helping others. The annual Future2 Wheel Classic continues to be an innovative way for people in the industry to provide their support to those in need. The opportunity to visit a number of local communities along the way and see how the fundraising directly supports Australia’s disadvantage youth is truly inspiring,” said Mr Guggenheimer.

Dante De Gori, FPA General Manager Policy and Conduct, is new to cycling but will join the final three days of the ride (470 km) and will then present a workshop at Congress. “I am not a cyclist and have not been on a bike since high school – but this is a fantastic challenge and I look forward to sharing this experience with other riders and supporting the Future2 Foundation”, said Mr De Gori.

Of the 32 cyclists, more than half have ridden in earlier Wheel Classic events and two thirds are riding for the entire seven days. For Future2 trustees Peter Bobbin and Ray Griffin, it will be their fifth Wheel Classic. Three teams will be vying for a trophy that celebrates the highest team fundraising effort: AMP Financial Planning’s Bravien Financial and InvestBlue in addition to AMP Capital.

Each cyclist is seeking the support of friends, family and colleagues who want to recognise their effort and dedication to a great cause. For a list of the cyclists, please visit: www.future2fundraising.org.au/events/wheelclassiccyclists.

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