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[Dingo]

Thanks Chris. Let me be the first to congratulate you in the phenomenal effort and work you have put into making the MAD Foundation what it is today. Your vision, drive, enthusiasm and energy has been endless and it is these characteristics of yours which have helped drive what we have been able to donate from $10,000 in 2005 to being over $60,000 for our 2007 activities whilst maintaining a sizeable cash reserve to start 2008. Once again our main benefactors will be The Sir George Bedbrook Fund for Patient Welfare at Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital, and REDS Spinal Cord Laboratory at UWA, with each to receive $25,000. Inspirational young Matt Kuhne will receive $10,000 towards his goal of being able to walk again by attending the intensive “Project Walk” program in the United States. The Paraplegic Benefit Fund have also received a sizeable donation towards the work they are doing in helping spinal injury survivors once their time in hospital is completed. You have left some big boots to fill Chris, and I look forward to putting them on and stepping forward.

It is a great honour to be your MAD chairman for what promises to be a very exciting year in our growth. 2008 will be a huge year and I can’t wait to share all the details of what we have planned as the year progresses.

What I can announce tonight is our vision for the future. Operating under the name Project 2012 (twenty twelve), the Making A Difference Ride Foundation is aiming to establish an intensive spinal injury rehabilitation centre here in Perth by the year 2012.

Helping us achieve that goal will see some new and exciting events in 2008 as well as the return of our favourites. These events will include an exciting new raffle where the winner gets the keys to not “just a bike” but a full blown race team setup including everything needed to get you on the track! Just as MAD makes dreams reality for the spinal injury patients of Perth, we want to continue to fulfill the dreams of our supporters as well . Of course this is only the first of our raffles for the year, with the return of a very popular bike now wearing the #1 plate being unveiled in the 3rd quarter of this year . Other events are planned over the course of this year, but will climax as always with the MAD ride in the last quarter of this year.

MAD is all about people, all our volunteers who contribute countless hours selflessly to make things happen, the patients and families whose lives we make a difference in and finally yourselves, the motorbike enthusiasts of Western Australia for supporting us in all our activities. This support gives me great energy and enthusiasm as I tackle the role of MAD Chairman and it is great to have you all on board for 2008.