Last year Sam and I rode in the ride to conquer cancer, it was the first time we had ever done anything like that and our riding with SPR was still some time off. We raised the money, completed the event, we hadn’t trained much but when you considered what having cancer must be like it was not much to put up with. And that really started something; we started riding more often and it saw us join SPR. This is where we met Brooke and we started riding regularly on weekends along with efforts to get up early and ride in Kings Park with Carol, Judy, Ross, John, Vicki and others (who have all since become great friends and co participants in a few events). Things started to get a bit more serious, 3 Dams, Goldfields Classic, Cyclo’s all done without much extra preparation, training or generally knowing what we were doing and what we were letting ourselves in for, but we keep coming back for more and this year it’s the 3 of us riding in the Sunsuper Ride to Conquer Cancer under the team name of Luchador (Fighter in Spanish or a person who competes in Lucha Libre, the Mexican version WWF).
The ride to Conquer Cancer is a charity cycling event to support the Western Australian Institute of Medical Research (WAIMR). The institute conducts cancer research that benefits the whole community and may one day benefit you and me personally. We all seem to have a relative or friend who has suffered from or lost a battle with cancer, so the ride is a simple way to support a good cause. It’s a simple, fully supported and catered event that covers 200km in 2 days to Pinjarra and back that requires you to raise $2500 each. A nice flat course and more food than you could eat (even a few complimentary drinks at the night stop in Pinjarra).
Do you have the courage to reach out and help someone in need? If you do then team Luchador needs you. You can help support the ride as a volunteer, you can join the team raise some money and ride with us or you can help us with fund-raising. It sound like a lot but it is achievable and together we can do it. I figure it’s like this, a bit of hardship and sacrifice to raise the money is much easier than chemotherapy or worse. Don’t stand back, get involved.
Here is how you can help;
- Fund-raising chocolate packs – would you be willing to help out by taking one to work and leaving it in your lunch room?
- Donation tins – do you own a retail business or know someone who would be willing to place one on their counter and collect some money?
- Sponsorship – are you in a position to donate some money to us? Every cent counts and no donations are too small.
- Corporate Sponsorship – maybe you own a business and you would be willing to make a donation? We have limited space on our jersey to sell and promote your business during the event.
We have already received some very generous gifts.
Anna Meares Olympic Medallist and World Champion Cyclist – on a spec email Anna offered and sent us a signed jersey (hear that Robbie McEwan, and the other teams and sports people we approached), that we are having framed and will be selling to the highest bidder.
Brownhill Wineries – Brown Hill have offered us a case of wine as a donation, this is a personal favourite and definitely one for winter, we will raffle these bottles of wine off with other donations.
Chellingworth Porsche – Secretly everyone wants one. Chellingworth Porsche in Claremont has donated a number of items that will be raffled off.
CIC Events Management & Sustainability – Sustainability and CIC have been able to secure two cycling coaching sessions with Matt Poyner valued at $250.00 each.
This and much more, we are still negotiating with a number of people and companies to provide us with donations, once we have nailed them down we will let you know.
Any help you can offer is much appreciated please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please visit the team Luchador site at:
http://pr13.conquercancer.org.au/site/TR/Events/Perth2013?team_id=11526&pg=team&fr_id=1112
Alternatively please contact Liam via email:
Or contact Brooke or Sam directly.
Regards
Liam, Sam & Brooke