Help Sarah get to Jnr Worlds

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Gigante and I'm a 17 year old cyclist. I have been racing for my club, Brunswick Cycling Club, since I was eight years old and now also race for a road NRS team, Holden Team Gusto. I'm really passionate about my sport and juggle it alongside my Year 12 studies everyday.

At the start of this year, I won 3 junior national championships on the road (in the criterium, time trial and road race) and 3 on the track (in the team pursuit, madison and points race) as well as taking home gold and bronze medals at the Oceania Road Championships in Tasmania. With these results, I was fortunate enough to be selected to represent my country at both the Junior Track World Championships, in Switzerland, and Junior Road World Championships, in Austria.

I have never raced overseas or been to Europe before, so I am extremely excited for the amazing opportunities which await me and the honour of pulling on the green and gold. I can't wait to test my legs in bigger pelotons, over steep hills and even some cobbles! However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Eleven weeks ago I had a nasty racing crash where I shattered my left elbow and fractured my left shoulder and right wrist. Two trips to theatre and many many ergos later I am ready and rearing to race but I need your help! There are four weeks between the two championships (held in August and September), which, in a way, is an awkward amount of time, as I will need to stay over in Europe and source my own accommodation during this period. Fortunately, we have fantastic financial support for Track Worlds and members of my club have been wonderful at the "Chasing Rainbows" fundraising night (please do not donate twice! :)), however there is a significant levy for Road Worlds. My Mum is absolutely amazing but as you can imagine this is a very expensive time for her, after lots of time off work to look after me when I had no arms (I couldn't even dress or feed myself!) and the expensive excess fees from surgery and rehab for my elbow. Any help would be greatly appreciated so I can chase my cycling dreams over in Europe! Thank you so much and thanks to everyone who has already helped me get to this point! The list of supportive people around me is endless!