Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) will put foot to pedal next month, as the mining resource company takes part in the annual Wilson HTM Cycle Challenge to raise awareness for diabetes and heart disease across Queensland.
To be held on Sunday, October 9, the annual cycling event hosted by Bicycle Queensland is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants and raise over $150,000 in funds for Diabetes Australia – Queensland and the Heart Foundation.
RST’s decision to enter a team of 25 in the 100km bike ride from Brisbane to Gold Coast, came after Diabetes Queensland released new figures this year revealing three quarters of Australian miners are currently overweight and at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are also directly linked to heart disease, which is now the most common cause of death in Australia.
RST technical and development director and cycling enthusiast David Handel said the event is extremely close to home as the chronic diseases are rising rapidly among workers in the mining industry.
“As a mining resource company, we realise how concerning and damaging these figures are for the mining industry and we want to do everything possible to raise awareness to counteract these serious results,” said Mr Handel.
“Many miners are at risk of type 2 diabetes or heart disease because of their inactive lifestyle and the sedentary nature of the industry.
“Hopefully by participating in Queensland’s biggest riding event, we can continue to raise awareness and funds to lower obesity within the mining sector and reduce these shocking figures once and for all.”
In July this year, Diabetes Queensland turned its focus to the mining sector during National Diabetes Week, in an attempt to raise awareness around type 2 diabetes and its debilitating impact on sufferers.
In light of this, RST will ride alongside teams from mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, as they cycle from Brisbane’s South Bank to Broadwater Parklands in Southport.
“Type 2 diabetes is directly linked to obesity and has many long term health complications including eye disease, kidney disease and nerve damage as well the number one killer – heart disease,” said Mr Handel.
“However these chronic illnesses are easily preventable by eating well, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being psychically active.
“By raising money and awareness, we can help to ensure more focus is placed on the mining sector to achieve a healthier lifestyle and reduce such life-threatening diseases among our miners.”
Teaming up with Gold Coast based company Proof Engineers, RST will design and sport special jerseys as they ride from the city to the coast in the seventh annual cycle challenge.
This will be the company’s second 100km ride together this year, after entering a team in the Gold Coast’s annual Pedal for Prostate ride hosted by Friday Warriors in May.
Business associate and training partner Sebastian Karsas from Proof Engineers said he wanted to accompany RST again in next month’s ride not only for the worthy cause, but because it endorsed the healthy lifestyle that both himself and Mr Handel live by.
“David and I go cycling together most mornings before work, it’s one of those sports that become addictive,” said Mr Karsas.
“We believe in the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle and that’s the message we’re trying to get across to not only the mining sector, but all of Australia.
“By participating in this ride it is not only a chance to challenge ourselves physically, but also a great opportunity to ride for health’s sake and raise money and awareness for such a good cause.”
