I’m on a mission to defeat cancer.

This year is particularly special as the MACA Cancer 200 celebrates its 15th year. For me, it will be my 13th year taking on the ride and the 6th year I’ll have the privilege of riding alongside my sons, Liam and Jai.

Looking back at that journey and at what the Ride and Perkins have achieved along the way, there is a lot to celebrate, but it also feels like we are only just beginning.

I have just taken some time off to complete the Canning Stock Route with a group of mates. Being out in the Great Sandy Desert, away from the usual pace of work and everyday life, gave me plenty of time to reflect on what really matters.

Watching the sun disappear over such a vast and remote part of Australia was a powerful reminder of how valuable time is, and how easily we can take our health and the time we have with family and friends for granted.

It also brought me back to why this Ride has remained so important to Liam, Jai and me.

Cancer continues to touch families, friends and colleagues everywhere. Progress only happens because people are prepared to commit their time, expertise and support to finding better answers.

That is what the team at Perkins does every day.

The Ride gives the rest of us a practical way to stand behind that work. The 200km is challenging, but it is temporary. More importantly, every kilometre creates an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for researchers working towards earlier detection, more targeted treatments and better outcomes for people facing cancer.

Over the years, this event has become much more than 200km on a bike for us. It has become part of our family journey, inspired by the incredible difference the team at Perkins is making and, in different ways, influencing the paths Liam and Jai are now taking themselves.

Liam is currently in his sixth year studying Medical Engineering and Neuroscience, a direction originally inspired by the work being done at Perkins. Seeing that connection come full circle is incredibly special for me. What began with us riding together to support medical research has helped inspire Liam towards a future where he may contribute to advances in medicine and patient outcomes himself.

Jai is now in the third year of his apprenticeship with WesTrac. I’m equally proud to ride alongside him and to see him building his own career while continuing to commit his time and effort to a cause that has become so important to our family.

What continues to inspire us is seeing exactly where the money raised by Cancer 200 goes. Funds are supporting researchers and technologies working across difficult cancers, from better imaging and detection through to new approaches to targeted therapies and immunotherapy.

That is why the Ride matters to us.

This is not simply fundraising for an idea. It is backing brilliant people doing work that can change the future for people affected by cancer.

This year we’ll again ride more than 200km in support of the incredible team at Perkins, and I’d be very grateful for any support you can give. Every donation, regardless of size, contributes to this work and is genuinely appreciated.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. Reaching the 15th year of this remarkable event, my 13th ride and the boys’ 6th makes me reflect on just how much that support has meant. Your generosity has been extraordinary, and we never take it for granted.