Macro for Micro Bike Ride

We recently supported a courageous campaign called Macro for Micro that finished this weekend. This involved a team of cyclists, led by Geoff Dittrich, cycling approximately 5600 kilometres across the Southern Coast of Australia to raise money and awareness for the cause of microfinance. Gloria Jean's Coffees and the With Heart Foundation were honoured to sponsor and support the team through providing various coffee houses as pit stops and opportunity to spread the awareness to the local community. All funds raised will go to Opportunity International Australia, one of the leading microfinance organisations that we also support. Below is Geoff's message to us all, after victoriously crossing the finish line!

Well, We've made it to the finish line! 78 days of cycling from Sydney to Perth, covering over 5,500km and spreading the message of microfinance's power to change the lives of the poor. What an inspirational journey it has been for us, full of extraordinary physical and mental challenges as well as the excitement of surpassing milestones along the way. Looking back, there are so many highlights that make it to the forefront of our minds. There were so many mountains slowly climbed, strong headwinds pushed through, long straight roads with no end in sight... but what sticks out the most is the encouragement and motivation we were given every step of the way. With each new challenge, we were met with heaps more of support from Australians in the communities we passed through, followers that were tracking our progress online and people that took the time to listen to our message at each event. Their respect for our dedication, and support for our cause gave us the morale boasts to continue on our way to raising the money needed to give new opportunities to those that need it most.

The core of this grass-roots movement was in coffee shops along the way. Being able to stop into a Gloria Jean's Coffees and know that our favourite Tim Tam Chiller (for Isabella), Flat White with a sugar (for Geoff), Non-fat Cappuccino (for Stu) and Chai Latte (for Vivian) was always made to order was something we never took for granted. Our anticipation to have informal conversations with customers of Gloria Jean's Coffees was overwhelming at times when our campaign hit peaks of chaos. It was those conversations over a coffee that went the furthest, as the setting was perfect for discussing the problems of the world and the solutions that exist. We were even able to gain the support of hundreds of people across Australia during these encounters... people that were willing to take the extra step and contribute to the many loans we were able to secure for those in need.

Gloria Jean's Coffees opened our eyes to how organizations can be so strong in their core capabilities (in this case, making a delicious coffee and treat!) while also going so far beyond their social obligations by supporting projects around the world that are ending issues that plague our world. Their support for our cause, both formally and informally, has been unmatched and unbelievable. We are humbled by their involvement in Macro for Micro's success, and attribute a significant amount of it to their support.

To find out more about how small things make a big difference... visit www.MacroForMicro.com