Boys cycle from Perth to Sydney for cancer research

Three Brisbane men are undertaking the trek of their lives when they cycle from Perth to Sydney to raise funds and awareness for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. The month long journey, beginning on 28 February and estimated to finish on the 31 March, will take in more than 4,000 kilometres – much of it harsh and lonely desert.

“The three of us have ridden from Sydney to the Gold Coast before but thought that this would provide a different adventure and different challenge,” said one of the cyclists, Stephen Harkin. “In addition, we are raising money and awareness for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and their cancer trials.”

“QIMR relies heavily on donations and fundraising events from the community to continue with our research into cancer and 30 other serious and life-threatening diseases,” said QIMR Development Manager, Christine Borthwick. “We have research programs that involve people from all around Australia so this bike ride will promote that fact.”

QIMR is now Australia’s largest medical research Institute, with more than 700 scientists researching the causes, cures and new treatments for diseases such as cancer, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, schizophrenia, heart conditions and childhood and infectious diseases.

Stephen Harkin and his colleagues, Tos Parkinson and Dean Martin, will leave Perth on Saturday 28 February and average 144 kilometres per day. Cities and towns they will travel through include York, Bruce Rock, Southern Cross, Coolgardie, Norseman, Cocklebiddy, Nundroo, Ceduna, Poochera, Kimba, Pt Augusta, Clare, Adelaide, Nuriootpa, Berri, Mildura, Balranald, Hay, Goolgowi, West Wyalong, Cowra, Bathurst, Katoomba and Sydney.

Donations to QIMR and to show support for the bike trek can be made by phoning QIMR on 1800 993 000.