Freo nurse Bruno Cordier is a man on a mission, preparing to ride his bike for the 34 days he says it will take to get from Sydney to Perth in the New Year.

Bruno’s crusade is to raise money for the work of Dr Catherine Hamlin and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, which treats women with childbirth injuries.

So when Adele  heard about his plan for the ride, Cycling for Fistulas, she was quick to lend her support to help kick start his campaign.

“Bruno should be congratulated for trying to raise money for such an important cause,” Adele said.

“Dr Catherine Hamlin does amazing work in Ethiopia, performing fistula operations on women who’ve faced obstructed labours, and training midwives so young Ethiopian women have access to a clean, safe birth with a skilled professional.”

“As women, we are so lucky in Australia to have skilled midwives who help safely deliver our babies.”

“I hope women will see Bruno’s campaign as an opportunity to give a few dollars so that women in other countries can have the same chance in life,” Adele said.  She will have a donation tin for Bruno set up at her office. 

Facts:

It is estimated that around 18,000 Ethiopian women face obstructed labour each year. Half of them will die. The other half will lose their baby and gain a fistula and the terrible consequences of this condition

 The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is the world’s first dedicated fistula hospital, built in 1974 to treat Ethiopian women who suffer from obstetric fistula. Obstetric fistula is the tragic outcome from an obstructed labour causing permanent incontinence and the social stigma that comes with it

There are an estimated 9000 new obstetric fistula cases in Ethiopia alone every year

In the estimated 34 days it takes Bruno to ride from Sydney to Perth, over 46,500 women in Africa will die from pregnancy and childbirth complications