IN PICTURES: Spinathon surpasses $50k goal, with donations to Albany Community Hospice still coming

Albany residents hopped in the saddle and kept the wheels turning for 24 hours over the weekend, raising a record $51,000 for the Albany Community Hospice at the annual Spinathon fundraiser.

Eighteen teams took part in this year’s event, with 15 teams completing the full 24-hour challenge, and several smaller teams participating in four to 12-hour rotations.

On Wednesday, the fundraising tally had reached $51,716, with donations remaining open until March 15.

One of the most remarkable efforts was by Tammy Bemben and her 13-year-old daughter Millie, who both completed the 24-hour ride as solo participants.

It was Ms Bemben’s eighth year taking on the challenge, and her daughter’s third.

Albany Community Hospice chief executive Jackie Boyce said the event highlighted the strength of community support for the service.

“The community turnout was nothing short of inspiring,” she said.

“What we love about this event is how every part of the community comes together to support hospice.

“This year we had everyone from tweens to riders in their 90s taking part, which is amazing.”

Ms Boyce said events like Spinathon also created space for important conversations about palliative care.

“Events such as Spinathon provide opportunities for hospice to be in the community, having conversations and hearing experiences from family and carers of our patients in a shared space,” she said.

“It creates opportunities for members of our community to have conversations about living our best lives and planning for death and dying.

“These conversations are important, whether you have a palliative diagnosis or not.”

Ms Boyce said the money raised would help provide free palliative care for those in need.

“Events like Spinathon enable hospice to fund our gap, which is approximately $800,000 this financial year to continue to provide free palliative care to those in need in our community — something which we have done since we opened in 1990,” she said.