The Big Give is an event supporting central Victorian community groups. The Bendigo Advertiser will be profiling several of the registered campaigns each week until the initiative ends with a 24-hour giving day on September 1. 

Noel Clarke was doing what he loved when a freak accident changed his life. 

The motorcyclist suffered a spinal cord injury while dirt biking at an event in central Victoria about seven years ago and was diagnosed with T4-T5 complete paraplegia. 

Learning first-hand about the lack of support and funding for individuals with similar injuries inspired Mr Clarke and his wife Tracey to establish Foundation 97.

The foundation’s primary purpose is to support people with spinal cord injury, particularly those who are non-funded. 

What does non-funded mean?

Individuals who do no receive ongoing financial support from the Transport Accident Commission, Workcare, Department of Veterans' Affairs, or a similar funding source.

One of the ways the foundation supports non-funded individuals is by providing grants to purchase equipment for participation in sport and recreation or training and courses for employment. 

Foundation 97 also campaigns for full or better funding for continence products to address the gap between the maximum state and federal funding and the average yearly continence product bill.

The foundation’s Big Give website cites the maximum state and federal funding as $1750 and the average yearly continence product costs at between $7000 and $12,000 a year. 

It has partnerships with two major job network agencies in Bendigo, which match suitable job seekers to the foundation.

They assist with screen printing and graphics, database and design work, 

On August 16, the foundation will launch its new magazine, Life is Beautiful, at Parliament House in Melbourne.

Mrs Clarke said the publication aimed to provide resources and support for people with a disability or limited mobility.

“Australia now has almost four million people with a disability,” she said. 

The foundation has achieved much since it was established, but has appealed for support to further and grow that work.

It has launched a Big Give campaign called Wheels in Motion, which aims to raise $5000.

The Big Give is a crowdfunding initiative aimed at supporting causes that give back to the community. 

It started on August 1 and ends with a community giving day on September 1, when registered campaigns stand to win a share in a $30,000 prize pool based on funds raised on the day.