Smiling for Smiddy
All packed up and ready to stat the ride for Smiddy
Losing a friend to cancer and a dream to ride around Australia inspired Mark ‘Sharky’ Smoothy to make a seven-year event to ride a bike around Australia, and everyone can join in to raise funds for cancer research.
Held in memory of Adam Smiddy, who passed away to an aggressive cancer aged 26, Smiling for Smiddy delivers unique cycling challenge events which inspire individuals and communities to raise funds for cancer research.
Each year hundreds of cyclists and thousands of donors tackle the challenge of cancer head on – by participating or supporting Smiddy events, raising than $1.9 million has been raised since 2006.
This year, Sharky, a great mate of Smiddy, will be starting the ride in Karratha, making his way to Esperance in the South.
The first leg of the race begins on September 15 and finishes on October 2.
Mark and Adam loved to ride and the two of them often talked about doing a credit card ride – riding for a few days in one direction with nothing other than a credit card in their pockets, then catching a bus back to Brisbane.
That dream was never realised, hence the idea for the Smiddy Challenge aiming to keep the name of Adam Smiddy alive, and to raise much-needed funds for ongoing cancer research.
“We cycle from sunup to sundown and the incredibly beautiful sunrises and sunsets will stay with me forever,” he said.
He said the best part of the ride is meeting all the amazing and generous people along the way.
“The local communities and its peoples are some of the friendliest and most generous people in all of Australia,” he said.
“Also the motorists and especially the truck drivers are incredibly patient and always give us a wide berth.
“We have had many motorists and truck drivers who stop and make donations and we are very grateful for their kindness.”
To get involved, Sharky said that if anyone has friends or relatives living in Perth, get them to attend the fundraiser night on September 24.
To purchase tickets to Perth go to www.smilingforsmiddy.ticketbud.com/thelongroad
“Donations to support our fund raising efforts will also help and this can be done by going to the official smiddy website www.smiddy.org.au,” he said.
Tags: Echo, Karratha, News, Pilbara, pilbaranews
