Doctor raises funds in memory of kind friend
BY SARAH CODDINGTON
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When Alastair Borwick’s friend was killed in a hit-and-run accident he wanted to be sure he had a great send-off.
North Shore doctor Graham Robinson died in hospital in October after he was knocked off his bicycle in Peak Rd near Helensville on a training ride for the North Island leg of a Heart Foundation charity ride.
Dr Robinson hoped to raise $10,000, but Dr Borwick set up a donation page in his memory that by last week had raised more than $23,000.
Mr Borwick will be cycling in the Heart Foundation charity Heart Ride that starts next week. He will be riding the length of New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff in 14 days.
Like Mr Robinson he believes that heart disease prevention is an important cause. "Heart disease affects many more of us than prostate cancer and breast cancer put together.
"I want to see people make effective choices about healthy living, that’s what my job is all about," says Mr Borwick.
Sixty-seven other health professionals are taking part in the event and each hopes to raise $10,000 to contribute up to $1 million to help establish the country’s first research hub dedicated to heart disease prevention.
Mr Borwick, who is known to cycle 300km to 400km weekly, is not worried about being on the open roads with vehicles and believes if you take the right precautions it is a safe sport.
He has raised $3641 towards his goal of $10,000 but says he has been focusing on raising money for Mr Robinson.
Mr Robinson’s wife Lin and family have posted a message on the website thanking those who donated. Many people also left messages sharing memories of Graham particularly praising his work as a doctor – from delivering their babies to patching them up after an accident.
The family said they had gained much comfort from the messages.
Forest Hill resident Paul Nolan, who provides exercise programmes for people at risk of heart disease is also taking part in the ride and has raised $7685.
If you would like to donate to Mr Nolan visit www.heartracer.org.nz/PaulNolan/.
If you would like to donate to Mr Robinson’s memoir page visit www.heartracer.org.nz/Graham
Robinson/.
If you would like to donate to Mr Borwick visit www.heartrac
er.org.nz/Alastair Borwick/.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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