Bridge to Bridge Cycle Charity Ride coming to Tamworth

A group of 10 riders will depart Brisbane's Story Bridge on May 7 for an eight day 1000 km trek via Warwick, the New England Highway, and the Hunter Valley to arrive in Sydney on May 14.

After being grounded by the COVID restrictions in 2020 and 2021, the riders have saddled up again.

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The annual charity ride, which began in 2011, has raised almost $300,000 for brain cancer charities so far - with donations still flowing in.

This year the ride is supporting the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation whose focus is research into better ways of detecting, managing and hopefully curing brain cancer.

Support team member, Kathy Munsie, is very concerned that brain cancer remains one of the most understudied cancers given the extent that brain cancer affects Australian society, - receiving the some of smallest amounts of research funding.

"About 1900 Australians will be diagnosed with brain cancer each year, of which over 500 will die prematurely from their tumours," Kathy said.

"Sadly many of these deaths will be children because brain cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in children; it is concerning that there have been no significant recorded improvements in survival rates in almost 20 years.

"I suppose that is where people like us come in - doing the voluntary fundraising for the necessary research - and building up that awareness of the need to tackle what is really a devastating issue in the broader community," she said.

Kathy, who drives one the two support vehicles, also sees that building awareness is a big issue for keeping brain cancer research going.

"We can get past the challenges of a long ride like this one, but the big challenge is getting the message across about the importance of tackling this dreadful disease," she said.

"I am encouraging people to support the brain cancer cause. You can support us over the web anytime."

Rider Matt Gurr, who participated in the 2018 ride, said that this awareness building can involve the ride team talking to community groups and schools about the issues.

"School visits are well received. This year, we will stop off at a few spots and speak to students about how we were contributing to defeating the disease," Matt said.

"We also try to develop their ambitions regarding citizenship and giving back to the community in the future."

"It would be nice to think that some of the kids that we talk to, get inspired to go on and become part of the team that makes that 'breakthrough' in finding ways to beat diseases such as brain cancer.

"Our presentations are not overly serious, we encourage the kids to have some fun, as well learn something, by participating in the small competitions that we run."

"It really breaks the ice and everyone has a laugh," he said.

In summing up, ride leader Randal Bishop paid tribute to all the people of the district that supported the ride this year and in previous years.

"This is also the tenth time that I have done this ride and I can say that each time everyone in the district has been marvelous - the donors, the press, the support - even the people who encouraged us with a wave or a toot of their horn," Randal said.

"People have been really generous - all round - from our major sponsors to those who just walked up to us when we were pulled up at a stop and gave a couple of dollars.

"In their own way, they are all everyday heroes," he said.

To sponsor, donate or participate in the charity ride, go to the Cure Brain Cancer website.

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