AN incredible journey across Australia to raise much-needed funds for cancer research and support made a pitstop at Croppa Creek this week, en route to Byron Bay on the New South Wales north coast.
The Kicking Cancer’s A55 Across Australia tour began six weeks ago from Australia’s most western point – Steep Point in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, nearly 700km north of Perth.
The trek across central Australia terminates today at Cape Byron, Australia’s most eastern point.
The journey, across 6500km of some of Australia’s roughest terrain began on July 7, with every rider in the group having a personal connection with cancer, a cancer patient or survivor.
The group of four riders and their support crew pulled into The Croppa Creek Store on Monday, on their way to Emmaville near Glen Innes.
Croppa Creek Store owner Caroline Bellman welcomed the weary travellers.
“This has been an incredible journey, and it was an absolute pleasure to have the crew slide by our store today,” Mrs Bellman said.
The Group is fundraising for the McGrath Foundation to fund McGrath Cancer Care Nurses across Australia.
They aim to raise $80,000 – equal to the cost of placing one breast cancer nurse in a regional community.
The six-week journey with only motorbikes and swags is no comparison to the journeys loved ones have experienced with cancer.
The diverse group of mates includes international motocross rider Steve Griffiths from the UK, Sunshine Coast company director Leroy Roberts, specialist mechanic Shane Lake from Crestmead in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast service manager, Todd Eveleigh.
Mr Griffiths, known universally as “Sport”, finished six weeks of cancer treatment and chemotherapy before joining the coast-to-coast trek.
“I have no saliva, but aim to still do this challenge for a great cause,” he said.
Fellow rider Leigh Roberts said the gruelling charity ride was an idea between mates who had worked together in the motor dealership game for more than 25 years.
“Over the past five years, my family has had some cancer battles, and I just can’t praise the support workers and practitioners enough,” Mr Roberts said.
Shane Lake said he lost a great friend to cancer.
“One of my early mentors and a close friend from when I was a teenager passed away from cancer several years ago,” Mr Lake said.
“I’ve also got two children with brittle bone disease which we have had a lot of help with over the years – at home and in hospital – and know how much this type of help is desperately needed.”
Todd Eveleigh said “cancer sucks in any form”.
“I lost my father to leukemia and have seen people suffer and survive – and I’ve also lost friends along the way to different forms of cancer,” he said.
“To be a part of this, knowing what we raise will help someone out, is why I’m doing it and ask everyone who reads this to get behind it and give what you can.”
Their support crew includes Martin Southall, Stephen Maitland, William and Michael Thompson and Scott Newman.
Mrs Bellman said the Croppa Creek community farewelled the team of fundraisers as they prepared to make the final leg of their astonishing journey.
“Their destination Monday night was Emmaville and they’ll finish in Byron Bay on Tuesday . . . ride easy boys,” she said.
Donations to this incredible cause can be made here: KCAAA Kicking Cancer’s A55 Fundraiser.
