Rolling hills, olive groves, ancient villages…Tuscany has it all. You’ll experience it up close as you trek for five days along the famous Via Francigena. You’ll be put to the test as you trek to raise funds for Mater’s Young Adults Health Centre. Best of all, you’ll be rewarded with the knowledge that you’ve made a difference to young people facing illness or disease. Get ready — the adventure starts here… The difference you’ll make By joining Mater’s Trek to Tuscany, you will help transform the lives of adolescents facing illness and disease. The funds you raise will support the Mater Young Adult Health Centre, a dedicated space to provide vital services to young adults and adolescents facing chronic conditions, mental health challenges and issues with substance abuse. The Mater Young Adult Health Centre (MYAHC) Brisbane is the first service of its kind in Queensland, and one of only a few nationwide. It includes the Amanda Flynn Clinic, a 12-bed inpatient mental health service, which will help address the unmet need in Queensland for a focused mental health service for young adults aged 16 to 25. There is still so much we need to do to support young adults and ensure we continue an integrated model of care. By supporting young adult care and research at Mater, you can join the fight to save young lives, and help change the outcomes for young adults facing health challenges. 8-14 May 2020 Moderately challenging (3/5) Fundraising target: $5,000 Travel package: (subject to change) $3,099* Registration fee: (non-refundable) $770 Minimum 3-star hotels, twin- share. Single supplement available for an extra cost. Register now: www.inspiredadventures.com.au/events/ materfoundation-tuscany-2020 EARLY BIRD $280 DISCOUNT! Register before 20 September 2019 to save $280 off your registration fee!
Transcript
Rolling hills, olive groves, ancient villages…Tuscany has it all. You’ll experience it up close as you trek for five days along the famous Via Francigena. You’ll be put to the test as you trek to raise funds for Mater’s Young Adults Health Centre. Best of all, you’ll be rewarded with the knowledge that you’ve made a difference to young people facing illness or disease.
Get ready — the adventure starts here…
The difference you’ll makeBy joining Mater’s Trek to Tuscany, you will help transform the lives of adolescents facing illness and disease. The funds you raise will support the Mater Young Adult Health Centre, a dedicated space to provide vital services to young adults and adolescents facing chronic conditions, mental health challenges and issues with substance abuse.The Mater Young Adult Health Centre (MYAHC) Brisbane is the first service of its kind in Queensland, and one of only a few nationwide.It includes the Amanda Flynn Clinic, a 12-bed inpatient mental health service, which will help address the unmet need in Queensland for a focused mental health service for young adults aged 16 to 25.There is still so much we need to do to support young adults and ensure we continue an integrated model of care.By supporting young adult care and research at Mater, you can join the fight to save young lives, and help change the outcomes for young adults facing health challenges.
8-14 May 2020
Moderately challenging (3/5)
Fundraising target: $5,000
Travel package: (subject to change) $3,099*
Registration fee: (non-refundable) $770
Minimum 3-star hotels, twin-share. Single supplement available for an extra cost.
About the Mater FoundationAt Mater Foundation, we believe every man, woman and child deserves exceptional care.
Funds raised by Mater Foundation are distributed to support a range of clinical programs, education and training; medical research; vital equipment and Mission activities at Mater. We support compassionate healthcare for the community by promoting and funding the prevention and control of disease.
By partnering with Mater Foundation, you’re supporting an iconic and much-loved Queensland institution—the birthplace of one-in-seven Queenslanders, the healthcare provider for more than 500,000 patients each year, and an internationally-recognised research institute.
Kelsie’s experience with the Mater Young Adult Health CentreKelsie was just 17 years old when she was diagnosed with a condition that caused her white blood cells to attack her body. The illness causes internal bleeding, immune system issues and failure of the digestive system, with her bowel being her worst affected organ.
For two and a half years she tried to fight her illness. Sadly, none of the medications worked and she became dangerously ill. Kelsie and her medical team at Mater made the difficult decision to go ahead with life-saving ileostomy surgery, removing Kelsie’s entire bowel and replacing it with an ileostomy bag.
At the time she was diagnosed, Kelsie was no longer a child, but also not yet a legal adult: neither the paediatric centres nor adult hospitals felt right. She began attending appointments at the newly opened Mater Young Adult Health Centre in Brisbane, a unique service specially designed to address the needs of young adults with chronic illness. It’s the first of its kind in Queensland and one of only a few in Australia.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success and Kelsie was soon on the road to recovery. For Kelsie, “the centre enabled me to bridge the divide between the adult’s hospital and the stage of life that I was at”.
With the fundraising support raised in this adventure, Mater’s Young Adult Heath Centre can provide the same care and support that Kelsie received throughout her journey.
The adventure-of-a-lifetime begins today! Upon arrival, you will make your own way to your hotel. In the evening, we’ll all meet as a group for our first team dinner. Your head local guide and team doctor will give a briefing about the adventure to come, while you get to know your teammates over traditional Tuscan cuisine and local wine.
*As this is a land only adventure, please book your own flights to and from Italy. Plan to arrive to the group hotel by 6:00 PM for the welcome briefing and dinner.
Meals: B L D
Day 2, Saturday 9 May 2020 Florence – San Miniato – Gambassi Terme
This morning we have an early start as we awake to the beautiful sights and sounds of Florence. After breakfast, we will transfer by private vehicle to the charming town of San Miniato, the starting point of our trek. We begin our trek of the Via Francigena, which follows a stunning trail through oak and chestnut woods, olive groves and vineyards. The trail will take you over small rolling hills – a quintessential Tuscan landscape! Passing the town of Chianni, we then climb 300 metres up to Gambassi Terme, a hilltop town well known for its glass manufacturing. Upon arrival, we will check-into our hotel before meeting for another group dinner. Tuscan food is all about simplicity, seasonality and “nostrale” – the idea of using local ingredients.
Meals: B L D
Transfer time: 1-2 hours total
Trekking distance: 23-25km
Trekking time: 7 hours
Day 3, Sunday 10 May 2020 Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano
Today’s route is shorter but will still bring a challenge with many undulations through the stunning scenery of the world-famous Chianti vineyards. We trek until we reach San Gimignano, an enchanting UNESCO-listed medieval town and our home for the night. Then, the evening is free to wander the laneways and piazzas within the 13th century walls. Upon arrival we enjoy a wine and food tasting experience.
Includes: • Transfers as per itinerary • Accommodation based on twin share • Inspired Adventure’s Team Leader Doctor and local English speaking guide • Meals as per itinerary • Water on trekking days Doesn’t include: • Flights • Airport transfers • Travel insurance (compulsory) • Visas • Compulsory city tax • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages • Personal expenses • Tips and gratuities
Day 4, Monday 11 May 2020 San Gimignano to Colle di Val d’Elsa
Today we bid farewell to San Gimignano as our trek takes us out of town through olive groves and cypress avenues up to the village of Montecchio. We continue until we reach Colle Val d’Elsa, a great place to enjoy a glass of Chianti in the central piazza and celebrate crossing the halfway mark. We’ll once again enjoy a team dinner featuring local produce and meat, hallmarks of Tuscan cuisine.
Meals: B L D
Trekking distance: 13km
Trekking time: 4 hours
Day 5, Tuesday 12 May 2020 Colle di Val d’Elsa to Monteriggioni
This morning we head off from Colle di Val d’Elsa. Our route today takes us along tree-lined roads before descending to Castel Pietraio and then up to the densely forested hill of Montagnole. We rest for the night in the unique hilltop village of Monteriggioni, which famous for the medieval wall encompassing the town. After dinner, you might retire early in preparation for a 23-kilometre day tomorrow.
Meals: B L D
Trekking distances: 13km
Trekking time: 4 hours
Day 6, Wednesday 13 May 2020 Monteriggioni to Siena
It’s our final day of trekking! A big day ahead of us, we leave Monteriggioni early and make our way towards Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited cities in Italy. It is world-famous for its art, medieval architecture, museums and cuisine and is a stunning location to celebrate the end of our trek together. Tonight over dinner, we’ll celebrate the end of successful trek and all that we have accomplished together.
Meals: B L D
Trekking distance: 23km
Trekking time: 7 hours
Day 7, Thursday 14 May 2020 Depart Siena
After breakfast, our adventure officially concludes. Wherever your travels take you from Siena, whether onwards or back to Australia, you’ll be filled with the moments and memories that have made this an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Registration fee due: immediately $770 secures your spot. You’re going to Tuscany! EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT Register before 20 September to save $280 off your registration fee.
Connect with your team online: after registration Get to know your fellow adventurers on Facebook or via the social media hashtag #TrektoTuscany
Travel deposit due: 6 weeks after registration Pay $850 travel deposit. Your travel booking is held.
Half travel cost payment due: 8 November 2019 Send signed invoice and pay half travel costs to Inspired Travel. You will be invoiced by Inspired Travel.
Fundraising Milestone #1: 8 November 2019 Congratulations! You’ve reached your first fundraising milestone of $2,000 for Mater Foundation.
Participant dinner: March 2020 Meet your fellow adventurers in person, share ideas and ask us questions (geography permitting)
Travel cost balance due: 8 April 2020 Pay remaining travel costs to Inspired Travel. You will be invoiced by Inspired Travel.
Fundraising Milestone #2: 8 April 2020 Final fundraising payment of at least $3,000. Well done! You’ve reached your fundraising target of $5,000!
Go! 8 May 2020 All your hard work and dedication pays off today— you’re ready to trek Tuscany for Mater Foundation!!
Inspired Adventures is the leading fundraising adventure agency in Australia & New Zealand, having successfully managed over 550 adventures raising over $33 million dollars.
The Inspired Adventures and Mater Foundation teams will work closely together to guide you through your journey from registration to destination, and provide expert fundraising advice and support. We will help you reach and even exceed your fundraising target, and prepare you for your adventure ahead. We have coached thousands of people just like you and know that it takes a team to achieve goals.
You are not in this alone. As soon as you’re on board, the Mater Foundation will be in touch and will work with you to create a personalised fundraising plan. You will receive dedicated support and regular contact from both the Mater Foundation and Inspired Adventures over the course of your “Inspired” journey to offer advice and inspiration.
FAQsHow do I fundraise?
Past participants have successfully fundraised in many creative and fun ways. We will send you a comprehensive Fundraising Toolkit upon registration to help you reach your target. You will also have regular support from the Inspired team, who will help you develop and manage your fundraising plan, as well as support from Mater Foundation.
Is the travel cost guaranteed?
We will do our best to keep the travel costs as quoted. However, please bear in mind they can change due to group size or factors out of our control, such as fluctuating exchange rates. The travel cost will be confirmed at the time of invoicing.
How fit do I need to be?
Your adventure is ranked 3/5.
While no extensive trekking experience is required prior to registering, our adventures are specifically designed for people who are relatively fit and willing to train. The Trek to Tuscany is a physical challenge, and the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy the experience.
It is essential that you prepare for this challenge. We recommend that in the months leading up to your trip, you increase your physical fitness with aerobic exercise.
What is the minimum age/general age range of participants?
The minimum age for this adventure is 18, however younger ages are considered on application. We have had participants aged 16–84 take part in our challenges, all united by their sense of philanthropy and adventure.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
The funds raised for Mater Foundation are tax-deductible (conditions apply).
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory for all adventures and must provide adequate cover for cancellation, delays in travel, loss or damage to baggage and valuables, medical and hospital expenses for injury or illness, and emergency evacuation.
What is the registration fee?
Upon registration, you will be required to pay a $770 registration fee to secure your spot on the team. The fee will also cover your fundraising support to help you reach and exceed your target before you depart for your adventure.
