• Cycling Without Age Australia Wagga Wagga Chapter has received a $1,000 Charles Sturt Community University Partnership grant to improve the livelihoods of senior residents

Charles Sturt University has helped give Wagga Wagga senior citizens a new outlook on life through the 2023 Community University Partnerships (CUP) Grants.

Cycling Without Age Australia’s Wagga Wagga Chapter (CWAAWW) received a $1,000 Health and Wellbeing grant under the CUP Grant Program.

CUP Grants are put towards regional projects that support cultural, economic, sporting, environmental development or higher education aspirations, particularly among youth in regional areas.

CWAAWW is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that takes older persons and people with a disability who are no longer able to take themselves on a bike ride from the city’s aged, home and disability care facilities on free rides in specialised electric-powered trishaw bikes.

Director of External Engagement at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga Mr David Bardos said the University was passionate about fostering vibrant communities.

“Charles Sturt University has always been, and continues to be, a big supporter of causes which build a more liveable, thriving community,” Mr Bardos said.

“Cycling Without Age Australia’s Wagga Wagga Chapter does just this by helping give Wagga Wagga’s older residents and those with a disability an outlet to socialise, get fresh air and see their city in a fun, safe way.”

CWAAWW Chapter Captain Ms Helen Sturman said they were thrilled to receive the grant, which would help support their service in delivering more than 200 rides in the three months since launching.

“Since our launch in January, we have taken 900 passengers out for a trishaw ride and built our team of volunteers to 30, which has been due to the generosity of our community,” Ms Sturman said.

“We have five aged care facilities on board which we service, as well as three home care services and three disability agencies, which is a small percentage of these services available in Wagga Wagga.”

The $1,000 grant funded A-frame notice boards which were revealed at Gumleigh Gardens Hostel on Friday 15 September. The boards will be placed near the trishaw routes, alerting the public to ‘Drive carefully – Elderly passengers on trishaw ahead’.

Ms Sturman said the signage would encourage more aged care facilities and residents to utilise the free service.

“These rides encourage positive aging through relationship building, storytelling, the anticipation of something exciting happening and experiencing what makes life enjoyable like the sun on your face and the wind in your hair,” she said.

Applications for the 2024 Charles Sturt CUP Grants program open at the beginning of next year and can be made via the 'Grants' page on the Charles Sturt website.

ENDS