Luke Batty Foundation

Rosie Batty image from: Australianoftheyear.org.au

There are so many reasons why we have been collecting to support the wonderful work that Rosie Batty does through her Luke Batty Foundation. We are so proud to donate our January and Febuary collections to them and you can funnel more of your cash their way, through their donations page. While meeting up each week to cycle with friends may not seem a direct link with fighting family violence, we like to think that by bringing attention to the wonderful work that Rosie does (and the work of our other charities each month) we are helping to raise awareness, as well as a small little bit of monetary contribution as well.

If you're keen to get involved, please come along and join us! Buzz is ever evolving and is currently cycling and walking on Fridays. Meeting at 6am at the Goodwill Bridge, we have a group who continues with the usual cycling river loop. We also have a second group stretching their legs and pounding the payment with walks around Southbank and Kangaroo Point. Both groups meet back at Pear Cafe/Bar on Gladstone Rd, Highgate Hill from about 7.15 for a quick coffee... or sometimes a more leisurely breakfast! So with more on offer there is more reason than ever before to join us for Buzz. Spread the word and bring along your gold coin to handover!
See you soon,
Buzz :)

fight for the reef with buzz

Fitzroy Delta image from: Fightforthereef.org.au

Welcome back and into 2015! We're getting active today - active of body as we ride the river loop in Brisbane and active in our spending decisions as we pledge our collection money for the past two months ($37.20) to the Fight for the Reef campaign. As we round out our Summer and spend time enjoying the wonderful beaches and oceans on offer here in Oz, it's worth reading up on the dangers posed to the reef and the likelyhood that its beauty may not be here for our children to enjoy. You too can donate to help the campaign and as always continue to join us from 6am, Friday mornings at the Goodwill Bridge to keep active of body as well!
Buzz :)

ANKAAA!

Bima Wear from the Tiwi Islands on the bimawear.com website

We are supporting another indigenous group this month, but moving away from young people and the AIEF to Ankaaa. Ankaaa is the Association of Northern, Kimberley and arnhem Aboriginal Artists, a group who is responsible for supporting artists who produce some amazing works.Their website links to a number of different Arts Centres who they support including the amazing Bima Wear textiles group operating out of the Tiwi Islands.
Check out the variety of works, artists and artisans supported by Ankaaa on their website and why not donate, like we did ($31.10 for the past 2 months!), while you're there?!
See you Fridays to Buzz :)

Indigenous Education

Image from: aief.com.au

As we head towards the end of the year, one of the charities we have supported before is facing some pretty awesome key dates. The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation will continue to support their students as the senior students edge towards their graduation days.
We at Buzz have been collecting for them over the past few months and send off our $32.10 today. You can donate and read more about their work in supporting young Indigenous development on their website.
Please join us and feel free to pass on our blog or details to any newbies who may be interested.
See you Friday mornings at 6am at the Goodwill Bridge.
Buzz :)

Buzz reaching out

Supporting young people at Reach Foundation. Image from: reach.org.au

As the temps drop we are continuing to meet each week for our dose or social riding. Weekly on Friday mornings we meet at the foot of the Goodwill Bridge at Southbank and we always love to see new faces so please spread the word! We meet back at Pear cafe/bar on Gladstone Rd, Highgate Hill to warm our fingers round mugs of good coffee. Some have even been known to skip the ride and just make the coffee part (gasp)!
The past few months we have been collecting for the Reach Foundation, a group who we have supported before but who do such important work that we were keen to get behind them again.
Get over to their website to donate more and then come along to our weekly rides to start giving your pocket change each week to a variety of great charities.
Buzz :)

the last hunger season

Image from: Thelasthungerseason.com

Have you ever heard of the last hunger season? Have you thought what it could be like to be able to end hunger? One of our favourite buzzers has recently read and passed on Roger Thurow's book, 'The Last Hunger Season.' The book details the problems faced by farmers - by the world - when farmers are dying of starvation. It's such an important issue and food is something so important to us at buzz, whether its about production or eating, sharing and celebrating good food!

We have donated $33.90 to the one acre fund, collected from our rides over March and April.
It would be great to see more donations go their way so click on the link and go forth and give!
As always, feel free to join us as we ride the river, starting at the south side of the Goodwill Bridge at Southbank at 6am on Friday mornings.

cathy freeman foundation

Image: Cathy Freeman Foundation

We are all about communities, health and fitness at buzz so it makes sense for us to support the great work being done by the cathyfreemanfoundation. We have made a small donation from our Jan/Feb collection pot and it would be super to see some more cash go their way. Not only do they raise funds to deliver education programs which help close the Indigenous education gap, but they also run activity programs too, such as the Cathy Freeman Foundation Palm Island Netball Challenge - awesome! Checkout their super inspiring video for more info or to donate some extra cash and keep helping to spread the word about buzz, the charities we support and the rides we do!
See you Fridays at 6am!
:)

who gives a crap?

Image: wateraid

We do!!!
Just a quick one to check in a let you all know about our latest charity. In November and December, as we've been getting thirstier our minds have turned to water... wateraid to be exact! We found out about them through the awesome little aussie business who is helping raise money for building toilets "with every wipe" as they say. Check out both wateraid and whogivesacrap as you too can get funky, recycled BULK tp delivered to your door with 50% of the profits going directly to wateraid... A win win! You can also donate directly to wateraid so join buzz and start giving a crap!
Hope to see you for a Friday ride soon. We are at the usual spots weekly on Fridays, 6am Goodwill bridge, 6.15 regatta, 7.15 baack to Pear at Highgate Hill for coffee! :)

Sri Lankan Changemakers

Hello again Buzz Team!
There has been lot happening lately as we creep into summer and most importantly, riding for change as the Buzz team continues to support local charities who are doing good in the world.

Most recently we have spent August, September and October fund raising to buy a whole book of tickets for Venesa Matram Sri Lanka a local, mob helpling to run a grassroots symposium on change for Sri Lanka. We were impressed by their approach to education, work and creativity in Sri Lanka when we first spied their work at a local fundraiser at Pear CafeBar in Highgate Hill. Next week they are having another fundraiser night at another great new local venue, wanderingcooks. If you are free, please try to make it down on Tuesday evening between 6 and 9pm as they try to raise much needed funds for their conference. (See brochure, left)

In other news, Buzz has decided to concentrate its efforts on the Friday morning cycle. We have had a significant drop in numbers as well as timetable clashes for the Tuesday evening session yet the Friday morning session is ever-growing. The Friday sessions will continue to be meeting at 6am at the Goodwill Bridge and finishing at 7.15 at Pear Cafe at Highgate Hill to caffeinate and catch up. Feel free to drop us a line or just come along any Friday.

We would love to have your involvement, by way of cycle buddies, local charity ideas or anything else (anybody want to help design some Buzz cycle jerseys?!).

Stay in touch and keep enjoying the rides and life,
Buzz :)

Venesa Matram Symposium

Venesa Matram Symposium

All sorts of cycling

Today our image is courtesy of a few buzz-folk recently returned from journeys overseas. More particularly, to Denmark and Sweden, where the bicycle-love is palpable! We thought we would share a few different ways we saw bikes being used as inspiration for taking the humble bicycle beyone just buzz-like, fitness rides: delivery, postage, furniture removals, family outings, of course general commuting and getting about and our favourite- the party bike (pictured left)! This type of bike allows for a cyclist as well as cartage of a large stereo system, an esky and sometimes even some party goers as well. I think we should definitely bring this bike trend to Brisbane!
On another note, thanks to everyone for your continued support of buzz! This month we celebrated another donation- this one to the Harvest Cambodia project for $54.
Just a reminder to keep coming, keep donating and please also, keep spreading the word- the more participants at buzz, the more healthy and happy people we have and the more we can donate to charity. Also, just a reminder that our Tuesday sessions now start at 6.15pm to allow everyone to make it in good time from work for a run or walk around the river. It's all at your own pace, you can bring a friend or 6 for company and we are there every week. Our Friday sessions are on the bike and still kick off at 6am. We are usually pulled up outside Pear Cafe by 7.15 to allow people to get on to work or home. Hope to see you all soon! :)

Running mates

An update! We have just helped out the Special Olympics mob with a donation of $50.20 collected just from gold coins each time we have got together for a run, walk, ride and chat over the months of April and May. Although it's getting chiller and darker, this is a reminder of sorts that there are still lots of mates out there who really appreciate the effort it takes to get out for some exercise. Not to mention the benefits for yourself as well!
Here are some wintery exercise links if you're struggling!
See you each Tuesday (at the new and improved time of 6.15pm) or Friday (at 6am) at the Goodwill Bridge for the respective runs/walks or rides!

World Bicycle Relief!

image credit: http://worldbicyclerelief.org/pages/impact

Hello again! Thanks this month to all those who have donated these last few months to World Bicycle Relief - we have just given them a donation of $50.20. It still blows me away that these charities are getting an extra donation each year (or so!) just for the sake of us running and walking. It may not seem like much but I guess that is the point- we don't notice it when we're putting it in the kitty yet by the end of the month it all adds up! Thankyou buzzers! We hope World Bicycle Relief don't mind that we borrowed their photo but it summed up exactly what we are all about - helping communities, being active and being outside together. See you fo a run/walk or ride soon! :)

Running and Riding to read!

Happy New Year!
As you saw in our Christmas post we have been fundraising for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation these last few months and thankyou so much to everyone who has thrown a few coins in the bucket at the end of our runs and rides. Together we have raised $93.50 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation - yay! If you're struggling to re-adjust to exercise after time spent on holidays (see left!) come along and join us each Tuesday evening for a run or walk and each Friday for a ride. Get in touch if you're nervous but we promise to welcome new comers with open arms!
The next few months is aimed at the World Bicycle Relief Organisation- something close to our hearts - so we hope to see lots of you soon! :)

Merry Happy!

Merry Happy greetings Buzz-folk!
Apologies for the on-line absence. Off-line we have been buzzing on and far too excited to spend time at the computer in this gorgeous weather!
After our South Sudan Salvation support in August we raised money for 'Mama Kits' through Childfund Australia in September, donated to the Special Olympics in October, got our Mo on for Movember and now... here we are in December!
This means we have been running, riding and making new friends for one whole year now! Thankyou so much to everyone who has been involved in buzz, supported, nurtured and participated. We continue to meet at 6pm on Tuesdays for a run/walk and on Friday mornings at 6am for a ride. All are welcome and the more the merrier so keep spreading the word, bringing friends along and helping us grow.
As we did last year, this year we'll combine charities over the festive season and funds will again go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation for Dec/Jan. Our usual sessions will take place this week and then next week we'll have Christmas fun.
Tuesday evening after the run we'll have Christmas drinks at the Ship Inn. On Friday after a Christmas ride we'll celebrate with breakfast at Pear Cafe/Bar in Highgate Hill. For anyone who has made a session over the last year or for anyone who has been meaning to come, it would be great to see you then!
Thanks again, hope your festivities are joyous and healthy.
Look forward to seeing you in coming weeks or on Tuesday 8 Jan when we'll be back on Deck for 2013!
Buzz :)

the sun is back!

Buzz-folk taking on the Sunny Coast Marathon @ Mooloolaba

Hi team!
Summer is on its way- the days are lighter, longer + warmer + the tell tale sign: the Brisbane streets are now full of cyclists!
So, make summer plans, sign up for a fun run, an ocean swim, a camping trip... and make yourself fitter and funner along the way by joining the buzz mob for our runs and rides.
On Tuesdays our usual kick off is Goodwill Bridge, Southside at 6pm for a jog and Friday mornings we dust of the treadlies for a river ride departing Goodwill at 6am. Each sesh is $2 with $1 to charity and $1 for the 'social club'. Speaking of which, our first Spring social will be after our run next Tuesday evening 11 September (gotta beat the budget day blues somehow!).
Spread the word and see you then!
:)

Inspiration special!

This wks pic dedicated to Buzz members tackling Ride to Conquer Cancer this wkend!

There is so much to be inspired by at the moment! If you have been watching the Olympics and been inspired by the agony and the ecstasy of sport, then it's time to lace up and get involved with buzz!
If you think you may one day be able to compete with Anna on the track or want to build some quads of steel a la Forstermann then our Friday ride sessions are for you!
Perhaps all you need to get inspired is to look outside and see that with everyday, dawn is breaking earlier and the sun is setting later here in Brisbane. Thank you London 2012 Closing Ceremony for that reminder!
Whatever reason you have to get inspired, add another one to your list: Buzz is a friendly mob. If your speed is racing around the riverloop then we'd love to see you. If you can manage a jog/walk then we'd love you to come along too! And if you're just starting out on a fitness journey, have injury niggles or just prefer to see the landscape at the pace of a walk (power or otherwise!) then Buzz is also just the place for you! Whatever your speed, Buzz is about getting people raising their heart rate, meeting some friends and raising a few dollars along the way.
Bring your $2 (you won't even feel it!) and see you Tuesdays 6pm at the Goodwill Bridge for a run/jog/walk or Fridays 6am for a ride (or fly like the birds!).
See you soon,
Buzz :)

seriously rich?!

Seriously rich?

Hi team!
So you know someone who is Seriously Rich? They obviously haven't been giving enough of their hard earned pennies to the various groups who Buzz supports! There is still time though!
This evening we will be running and walking our way around the river, leaving 6pm from the Goodwill Bridge. After, we'll celebrate our month of collecting for the Ride To Conquer Cancer with warming ales (or similar!) at the Ship Inn for anyone who wants to join us.
Our usual Friday ride (6am Goodwill Bridge) will be our first August ride and the first collecting and supporting South Sudan Salvation. This organisation is trying to raise funds and support families in Awiel, who are suffering from the impact of war in the Sudan. Please consider donating to this very worthy cause, and encourage as many people as you can to come along to Buzz  in August. Stay tuned for more details on SSS as we progress through the month.
Hope to see you soon! :)

Winter update

Hi again Buzz-folk!
As the financial year is well and truly over now we thought an update (and celebration) of recent donations was in order.
Most recently, for the month of June we lent a hand and put our $2 towards the Vinnies 2012 Winter Appeal. We gathered $51.40 over the month, thanks to you guys for turning up each week and chucking a gold coin in the tin!
In May we helped one of our own Buzz team members, Michelle, in her Live Below The Line challenge- a week of living on $2 per day.
If you, like me, feel like the year has flown by and need a little recap here it is:
June- St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
May- Live Below The Line
April- The Reach Foundation
March- Beyond Blue
Feb- Mental Illness Fellowship of Qld
Dec/Jan- Indigenous Literary Foundation
November- Cancer and Bowel Research Trust
You can continue to donate to any of these organisations- their links are above.
So, a huge thankyou so much for your support in Buzz's first year- as well as all of these donations we've also met some wonderful new people, reconnected with old friends, and done something good for our health, hearts and community!
Please keep on spreading the word so we can get more people involved and enjoying the fun (and raising more money)!
Our usual run/walk is on tonight (and every Tuesday) leaving at 6pm from the Goodwill Bridge.
Our ride group takes off at 6am on Friday morning and finishes up with coffee, usually done and dusted by 7.30.
Thanks again and look forward to seeing you soon!
:)

Another week, another opportunity to Buzz!
Now that we've passed the solstice it's only a matter of time before we're running and riding in the sunshine again... in the mean time there are plenty of running and riding events coming up through the Brissie winter. Sign up and then come and join the group to train together... so then we can celebrate together!
Tuesday 6pm for running and walking, Friday 6am for a ride. Both leave the Goodwill Bridge and are $2 a pop, so we can give to charity.
Send in your suggestions for next months charity, come along, get involved!
See you soon!
:)

Congratulations - we made it!

Congratulations to the amazing group who made it through the Gold Coast Marathon on the weekend! It was great to have so many buzzers out there and a great excuse to spend the weekend in the sunshine, eating, drinking and celebrating 5's, 10's and half marathons... and to watch and be inspired by the marathon - is anyone keen to ramp up the distance for next year?!
Thanks so much to all those who cheered, supported, fed and watered us over the weekend.
We'll be back with recovery runs this week- tonight 6pm at the Goodwill- time to run into July!
:)