AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX:

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is proud to announce the Reece Bancell Memorial Association (RBMA) as the official charity of the 2009 Iveco Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

RBMA was founded by Jill and David Bancell in 2004. This remarkable pair established the charity to honour the memory of their son Reece, who was tragically killed in an on-track motorcycle accident in 2003 at the age of 19.

RBMA offers support to riders and their families affected by motorcycle accidents. The charity aims to increase safety in the sport by promoting rider safety and improving medical facilities at Australian tracks.

“In addition to providing a support network and grief counselling to the motorcycle racing community, David and I wanted to increase the medical support available to riders at motorcycle events,” said Jill Bancell, president of the RBMA.

To date RBMA have donated essential medical equipment to motorcycle tracks around Australia, including flameproof clothing, spine boards, training bags, IV kits, Heartsmart defibrillators and training equipment for medical staff.

Their achievements also include a $40,000 donation to assist the renovation and permanent relocation of the Medical Centre and helipad at the Phillip Island circuit, as well as cash grants to families who have encountered trauma due to a motorcycle accident.

In addition to fundraising at the MotoGP, there is also a dinner and auction in Bairnsdale on Wednesday 14 October, organised by the Bairnsdale Returned and Services League. All funds raised from the auction will be donated to RBMA.

The auction is the night before the Barry Sheene tribute ride, where over 600 motorcyclists ride from Bairnsdale, in country Victoria, to the Phillip Island circuit in memory of the great motorcycling legend and personality, Barry Sheene.

“The Reece Bancell Memorial Association provides great support to the motorcycle racing community and we are very proud to be working with this exceptional organisation to help them continue their important work,” said Drew Ward, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

For more information about the Reece Bancell Memorial Association visit www.reecebancell.com.