Mounties Golf Day Raises $60,000 For Charity

18 Mar 2020

Kidney transplant recipient Bob Flood knows how important kidney health is. And how easy it is to overlook

"Many Australians take their kidney health for granted and many more are unaware of how important it is to donate their organs, any one person can save two lives with their kidneys," said Mr Flood, who is celebrating 10 years post-kidney transplant this year. 

"I am grateful to be offered a second chance in life, as a survivor of kidney disease."

Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health issue, with one in every ten adults aged 18 years and over developing signs of the disease at some stage of their life. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of the disease.

"Many Australians take their kidney health for granted and many more are unaware of how important it is to donate their organs," said Mr Flood.

Mr Flood said it was "encouraging" to see Mounties raise funds for Kidney Health Australia at their recent golf day.

Mounties raised $60,480 with $55,480 donated to Kidney Health Australia, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people with kidney disease and improving health outcomes for Australians and the local community. 

According to Kidney Health Australia, Australian adults are at an increased risk of chronic kidney disease if they:

• have diabetes.
• have high blood pressure.
• have established heart problems or have had a stroke.
• have a family history of kidney failure.
• are obese with BMI 30 or higher.
• are a smoker.
• are 60 years or older.
• are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.
• have a history of acute kidney injury.

Mounties Group president â€‹Kevin Ingram said they are "proud" to lead the industry in sparking the conversation about improving the kidney health of the community. 

"We are dedicated to making a difference to the lives of our members, especially local youths, by generating awareness and raising funds to inspire change for the better," he said.

This year, Mounties also donated $5000 of the funds raised to assist 12-year-old Sebastian Aguiar with his fight for life. The Bonnyrigg resident is the only person in Australia living with the rare and life-threatening rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) disorder .

"Sebastian is a unique individual who had his freedom to walk and breathe freely stripped from him at the age of six-years-old. We've seen the transition of an energetic young boy, full of life to becoming affected and in need of twenty-four care at school and at home." said Rina Furia, a teacher at Sebastian's school, John the Baptist primary. 

"It was very touching to see Mounties take a stand for one of its local community members, the overall support on the day from everyone was a very positive experience for Sebastian and his family."