Riders pumped for 600km trek to aid cause

Determined bike riders are pumping up their tyres ahead of this month’s South West Bike Trek, a 600km journey between Perth and Augusta.

The 15 riders will set off from South Perth Foreshore on October 11, with hopes of raising $40,000 for the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation.

Trek co-ordinator and foundation member Eric Maddock has been involved in the event for the past 12 years after his great-niece was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of four.

Mr Maddock said the treatment and support she received left him with an overwhelming sense of wanting to “pay it back”.

Australia has one of the highest occurrences of childhood cancer in the world, with 600 children diagnosed every year, and the trek has raised almost $700,000 for the foundation since its beginning 18 years ago.

The trek is conducted at a leisurely pace, encouraging riders to work together to ensure each other’s wellbeing.

Foundation head Kylie Dalton said the foundation would have been heavily affected if the trek was cancelled this year.

“The trek is our biggest fundraising event each year. Having the community riders who get involved and do this type of ride, it means more than just the fundraising, it allows those riders to continue to share our stories along the way.”

Schools were encouraged to support the riders through gold-coin donation days, and event organisers have called on the public to “adopt a rider” to assist with fundraising efforts.

The nine-day trek will conclude in Augusta on October 17. To adopt a rider, visit swbiketrek.com.au.