Katherine NT:  Margie Raynor, a fifty four year old school teacher from Adelaide who left her home town on 17th of July, will commence the last five days of her solo ride to Darwin this morning as she heads towards Pine Creek (80 klm) from Katherine in support of people with Kidney Disease. 
 

Margie will arrive in Darwin on Thursday 10th of September, hopefully in the morning if she gets a tail wind.    
 
At a special ceremony at the start of the ride Margie Raynor officially became a Kidney Angel, an award from Kidney Health Australia which recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions in helping people with kidney disease.
 
Getting back home from Darwin will be made easy courtesy of a Gold Class ticket generously provided by Great Southern Rail.
 
The completion of the Darwin Ride on Thursday 10th September will take Margie's total pedalling to 28,000 kilometres in support of people suffering from Kidney Disease. 
 
Margie's commitment to helping people with kidney disease stems from personal experience when Margie's daughter was diagnosed with kidney disease at five years of age. 
 
Kidney Health Australia also called on cyclists who are bloggers to join Margie Raynor on the web at www.renalride09.com with messages of support and to track her progress on the website with regular reports.
 
Ron Smith, National Communications Manager for Kidney Health Australia said Margie's pedalling for kidney patients is an inspiration to all Australians and people can support her efforts by visiting her blog www.renalride09.com  and make donations to support her fundraising activities.   
 
On the road on her own, Margie developed some unusual ways of raising funds for kidney disease by charging $20 to answer questions such as "How many tyres have you used? Or the other favourite "How many punctures have you had?"  
 
KIDNEY HEALTH 2009 FAST FACTS  
 
1 in 7 Australian adults over the age of 25 years has Chronic Kidney Disease (stage 1-5).
*       At the end of 2007, 9,642 people were receiving dialysis treatment and 7,128 people were living with a functioning kidney transplant.

 

Dialysis for CKD is the most frequent reason for hospitalisation.
*        In 2006-07, regular dialysis for CKD was recorded as the principal diagnosis in 933,772 hospitalisations-12.3% of all hospitalisation in that year.

Media Enquiries:
Margie Raynor Mobile:  0419 772 249 Available for Interview on road  
Ron Smith National Media Communications
Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201