Objectives
HypoActive will focus on establishing an information base of latest research and information on exercise and diabetes; recruit and provide training support for participants; develop specific event plans for the needs of diabetics in various events (run by HypoActive and others); provide small grant assistance for individual and team participation promoting exceptional effort in physical activity regardless of ability; strengthen links with overseas Type 1 endurance athletes and key medical and sports experts; and co-ordinating sponsorship and fundraising for targeted endurance sporting events in Australia (including events such as: the Murray to Moyne, in which HypoActive is participating for the third successive year; Round-The-Bay-In-A-Day cycle challenge; the Crocodile Trophy (Darwin-Cairns); Murray River Marathon; Ironman events; Lake Taupo Challenge in New Zealand; L'Etape de Tour in France, etc).
Over time it is intended that HypoActive will be rolled out into other regions of Australia and New Zealand. Members of the HypoActive committee have had past experiences in providing this type of support for diabetics, particularly in 2003 and 2004 from entering a Type 1 team in the Murray to Moyne cycle relay for charity. The 2004 event was part-funded by Visy Industries, and consisted of a team of 12 diabetic riders, including 6 members from Melbourne; 3 from rural Victoria; 1 from New South Wales; and 2 from New Zealand. The 2004 team raised more than $6,000 to support Children's Camps conducted by Diabetes Australia - Victoria, Royal Childrens Hospital and Southern Health (operating as Monash Medical Centre), and is now considered an integral partner in fundraising for the Children's Camps.
Although the committee is based in Melbourne, participants will be recruited regardless of geographical constraints through the development of the HypoActive website (www.hypoactive.org), links to diabetic organisations such as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Diabetes Australia - Victoria, positive media participation, and by having an active promotional campaign to diabetic-related health professionals..