AEIOU News

Gold Coast resident joins AEIOU Blue Crew Bridge to Brisbane team in support of children with autism

Mon, 1 Aug 11

Media Release

August 2011

Gold Coast resident joins AEIOU Blue Crew Bridge to Brisbane team

in support of children with autism

Gold Coast resident Matt Bozina will don his sneakers this month to prepare for the five kilometre run in The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane where he will raise vital funds for children with autism.  

This year marks the fun run’s 15^th anniversary and the AEIOU Blue Crew is hitting the pavement to increase their fitness and fundraising tally in time for the largest running event in Brisbane on Sunday, 11 September.

The AEIOU Blue Crew team is on track to engage more than 100 team members and raise up to $50,000 in 2011, having already raised $7,000, and sitting in first position for team fundraising.

Matt Bozina joined the AEIOU Blue Crew because his three year old son Riley has Autism. Riley attends the AEIOU early intervention program at the Foundation’s Gold Coast centre. Matt said he and his wife Amanda have been thrilled with his progress and now want to help AEIOU reach more families living with autism.

“I set a goal to raise around $2000, and was blown away by the generosity of my friends, family and work colleagues.  I set up my donation account late one night, and woke up early the next morning to a few hundred dollars already donated to my fund! 

“The success and future growth of AEIOU depends on our community getting behind them.  There is a huge waiting list of families like ours trying to get into a centre, particularly at the Gold Coast.  So please, get behind the Foundation and either join the AEIOU Blue Crew or donate in support of someone who is running or walking on the day.  Whether you run, walk or sponsor someone, you can make a huge difference to children like our son Riley,” Mr Bozina said.

“Like all parents, our dream for Riley is for him to become a happy, social, active member of the community. Riley will always have Autism, but by receiving Early Intervention at this crucial age who knows what he can achieve?  If people out there are willing to back me and the AEIOU Blue Crew to help Riley and his little friends at AEIOU, I’ll run over as many bridges as you like!” he said.

AEIOU Foundation operates nine centres across Queensland reaching more than 200 children. However it experiences a $10,000 funding gap for every child placement in the program every year. By fundraising for AEIOU, the AEIOU Blue Crew will not only close that fundraising gap for children in AEIOU centres, they will raise much needed awareness about autism and by doing this, support every family in our program.

 The Suncorp Bank encourages entrants to join the Highest Fundraiser for 2011 competition. Suncorp Bank will donate $5,000 to the charity nominated by the highest fundraising individual. The highest fundraiser will also be personally rewarded with $1,000 in a Suncorp Bank Everyday Basics Account.

 AEIOU Foundation is a Queensland-based organisation and one of the country’s largest providers of early intervention for children diagnosed with autism aged two and a half to five years.

To actively support children with autism, register for the AEIOU Blue Crew at www.bridgetobrisbane.com, and select team competitors.

Help Matt Bozina reach his fundraising goal and donate to fundraise.bridgetobrisbane.com.au/matteo_bozina_6.

 Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3320 7555.

Deborah Hoey, Communications Manager, p: 3320 7520