Melbourne Cup revellers raise thousands for injured colleague

Close to 300 USQ staff gathered to punt for a good cause in Toowoomba yesterday.

The Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon was held to raise money for Bryan Flemming, a popular USQ Health and Safety Officer and motocross enthusiast, who received serious spinal injuries in a motorcycle accident earlier this year.

Mr Flemming, who is paralysed from the chest down and is currently rehabilitating in the Princess Alexandra Hospital Spinal Unit, spoke to the gathering via Skype during the event.

'I thank all of my colleagues and friends for supporting me during this difficult time, it really means a lot to me,' Mr Flemming said. 'I’m looking forward to coming back to work in the not-too-distant future.'

Event organiser and USQ Travel Manager, Mrs Liz Newberry, said she was overwhelmed by the strong support shown by the University community.

'The USQ family open its heart and wallet to help our friend and colleague, Bryan,' Mrs Newberry said.

'We raised more than $7000 for the Bryan Flemming Family Trust and many of the syndicates and Calcutta winners donated their winnings to the appeal.

'We can’t thank our colleagues enough for their enormous generosity.'

To view and order photographs taken during this event, visit: http://photostore.usq.edu.au/Search.aspx?category=Friends+of+Bryan+Flemming+Melbourne+Cup+Luncheon