The Tour de Transplant events raised funds for HLTTV’s Second Chance Accommodation Program as well as promoting community awareness of organ and tissue donation.
In 2014 the inaugural event for 25 riders, led by world renowned Australian cyclist Phil Anderson, raised a staggering $250,000 for the program therefore enabling six apartments to be available for transplant recipients.
In March 2016, Phil again led 30 riders on a 600km bike tour of Victoria – 1km for every regional Victorian and interstate heart and lung transplant recipient (at that point in time). It was a once in a lifetime experience for all those involved and raised over $230,000.
Phil Anderson had a successful and storied amateur and subsequent
professional cycling career with a major highlight of wearing the yellow
jersey during the 1981 Tour de France and then again for nine days of
the 1982 Tour. At that stage, he was the first rider from outside Europe
to lead the race.
(Phil is pictured below with the 2014 Tour group)