WA charity bike ride hopes to raise $40,000 for Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation
Source: MICEBTN – Wednesday 23 September 2020
Western Australia’s charity bike ride is back for its 18th anniversary, with 15 riders set to make the epic 600km journey from Perth to Augusta in the hope of raising $40,000 for the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF).
This year’s trek will begin on Sunday, 11 October from Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth foreshore, with riders travelling across some of the most spectacular roads in WA before winding up in Augusta on Saturday, 17 October.
The event has been organised by South West Bike Trek co-ordinator and CLCRF member Eric Maddock, with the help of local Lions and Rotary Clubs.
Maddock, 71, has been a passionate supporter of the event for the past 12 years, after his great-niece, Jade, was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of four. Now 17 and in remission, Mr Maddock said the treatment and support she received left him with an overwhelming sense of wanting to “pay it back”.
“The doctors did so much to help Jade and it is so wonderful to see her loving life now,” he said. “Originally childhood cancer research focused on treatment and survival rate but now it also focuses on treating the individual and the type of cancer they have. That means the side effects of the treatment are less and they have a lot better quality of life.”
Australia has one of the highest incidences of childhood cancer worldwide, with 600 children diagnosed every year. CLCRF has been raising funds for research into childhood cancers for over 40 years and is committed to ensuring ground-breaking research into childhood cancer can continue so that future generations can live cancer free.
Maddock said while 2020 had been a challenging year for everyone, he was delighted the event could take place and continue to raise important funds for research.
This year, South West Bike Trek organisers are calling for the public to “adopt a rider” in an effort to assist the fundraising efforts of the 15 incredible riders who have signed up for the challenge. Due to COVID-19 severely impacting the riders’ ability to fundraise, schools are also being encouraged to support riders by holding gold coin donation days.
The 2020 South West Bike Trek is expected to follow the below schedule:
Day 1 Sunday 11 October – South Perth to Fairbridge
Day 2 Monday 12 October – Fairbridge to Preston return
Day 3 Tuesday 13 October – Fairbridge to Harvey
Day 4 Wednesday 14 October – Harvey to Bunbury
Day 5 Thursday 15 October – Bunbury to Busselton
Day 6 Friday 16 October – Busselton to Margaret River
Day 7 Saturday 17 October – Margaret River to Augusta
For more information: swbiketrek.com.au
To support a rider: swbiketrek.com.au/support-riders