Fundraiser Profile

Name: Nicholas Kotrotsos
Occupation: Telecommunications Network Analyst / Report Writer
Age: 39
Status: Individual Fundraiser and top placed fundraiser from the ACT
Number of Gong Rides? 5
Individual total: $5005.50

How did you go about raising money to reach your personal target?

First off I sent an email to all my friends, colleagues and suppliers outlining what I was doing and why I was doing it, referring them to my personal web page was a great way to steer traffic and allow them to donate right away online.

I was also interviewed on a Greek community radio program where I talked about what I was doing to help people with MS by cycling the Gong Ride. This was a great way to communicate what I hoped to achieve to raise the awareness of my personal challenge.

Finally, I had assistance from my fantastic mother. Mum was in charge of the offline donations and collected sponsorship within our local community, helping me fundraise over $3,000! It was a great effort and she is ready to get on board this year and help me help people with MS.

How easy and rewarding did you find making the effort to fundraise?

It is great to know you are going above and beyond to support a great cause. Whilst the ride is a great event in itself, knowing you have done all you can to help other with MS makes the event much more satisfying to ride in.

Once the fundraising started I was blown away from the support I received (or maybe mum is extremely popular) and people were more than happy to show their support for me, mum and those with MS.

Initially my target was $1000 before a friend challenged me to double it. Always keen to take on a challenge, I instead tripled the target to $3,000, stepped up my efforts and the 'snowball effect' started, then I ended up with over $5,000!

Why do you support people with MS - do you know much about it?

I chose to show my support through fundraising as in 1993 I had a bone marrow transplant for a red cell disorder. After this I started cycling in order to regain my level of fitness and the 1997 Gong Ride was my first challenge of distance cycling.

I started asking people to support my efforts and people with MS so I could help people who like me previously, need support to maintain a good quality of life. Riding for a reason and helping others makes the event more satisfying in which take part. It is a great feeling to know you are part of something bigger than just the ride and that there are so many other cyclists out there on the day doing their bit to help others less fortunate.

How did you enjoy the Gong Ride?

The ride is a great event and I had a great day! I continually take part and always get a great buzz coming into the finish line after riding a whole 90 kilometres.

Coming back in 2007?

Mum and I will return bigger and better than ever in 2007! I am looking to raise $10,000 and have a goal of finishing in the top 3 this year...so look out!

We have also extended the local Canberra fundraising team in 2007 as well as branching out to include some fantastic fundraisers from the Batemans Bay community, my fundraising support crew is ready to go to help me raise $10,000 to help people with MS!