I’m on a mission to defeat cancer.

Friends and Family,

It’s time for another 200-kilometre bike ride!!!

Last year I did this very event, riding from Optus Stadium to Mandurah and back again over 2 days! Covering 200 kilometres with 1900 other cyclists, all on the same mission as me; to raise money for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, based right here in WA in Perth.

“Since 1998, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research has made significant discoveries into the diseases that most affect our families, in particular heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Over 200 researchers, scientists and clinicians are housed in two state-of-the-art research facilities. The Perkins is committed to giving yourself and those you love the opportunity to live longer, healthier and better lives by helping WA’s best medical researchers beat the world’s toughest diseases. “

This year I will be dedicating my ride to two very dear friends of mine, who fought very individual and brave battles with cancer.

Let me introduce you to my friends, my “Reason to Ride”

John Roberts or as most people knew him “JR.” JR finished his working life in the Mining Sector as a Safety Rep and Trainer, working for just over 25 years at the Super Pit in Kalgoorlie. He loved his job and that was how I met JR. He took me for a drive in a dump truck. Anyone who knows me, knows I talk a lot! But when I met JR, I found the male version of myself!!! We were only meant to go for an hours long drive, but it was closer to 4 hours by the time we got back. Yap, Yap, Yap, JR sharing all his worldly knowledge and advice with me, it was fantastic. JR was a very close friend with my dad, and we kept in contact through mutual friends and catch ups over the years. JR was diagnosed initially with bone cancer in his lower spine, the usual radiation treatment kept things under control in the short term, but this cancer was a beast. It moved within in body to other bones and organs. After many months of treatments and trips back and forth to Perth to trial many different treatments, JR’s fight was over, he had had all his body could take. He bravely chose to end his life through the assisted dying route in November 2024, passing away peacefully with his family and friends by his side. He had put up a major fight, but not all battles can be won. JR said to me on his final day, “I’ve lived a good life, I’ve made many good friends, I’m going to miss you all. I’ve really enjoyed saying goodbye to people today, I didn’t realise I had had such an impact on people.” You most certainly did JR and I will ride for you with all the strength and determination you gave during your biggest fight.

Paul Barrett – Paul I met back in 2017 at my first training session for the Kalgoorlie Women’s Triathlon. He had such a warm and welcoming smile. I felt way in over my head signing up for this triathlon, I was rather obese and was on a health kick to lose the kilos, but his support and encouragement was so kind, he just made you feel like you could accomplish anything. Paul had a wicked sense of humour that I always looked forward to at training sessions. One memory that always sticks out with me, one day after a 5 kilometre running session Paul pulled all of us ladies in for a quick group chat and cheekily said to us "Great running today ladies, great effort, on the weekend though, some of you lovely ladies will need to get some more supportive bras (mimicking holding down his own breasts) to look after the girls!" Gosh did we all laugh out loud, and yes we did adhere to his advice. Paul and his beautiful wife were there at the finish line on the day cheering all of us through. Paul only lived in Kalgoorlie for a short time before moving back home to Adelaide. Paul was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer and after a short battle, the cancer was too aggressive, and Paul passed away also surrounded by family and friends. The world lost a beautiful and rare soul that day. Paul left his mark and heart on all het met and he will be truly missed. He lived life to the fullest, which his wife Emily captured in so many photos, that she shared during his funeral service in April of this year.

Even though JR and Paul did not beat the beast that is Cancer, their courage to trial new drugs or therapies gave them longer with their families and friends and this is all down to the research and scientific trials and testing that come from such medical research institutes like the Perkins.

Will you help me to raise more money this year to support this ongoing research?

I’ve set a goal to raise $2,500 for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, but I’m going to need your help!

Can you please spare a donation to my cause and help me to fund vital research into future cancer treatments, done right here in WA!

A little can go a long way and every dollar counts!

Think about it, your $25 weekly spend on takeaway coffees could make all the difference to unlocking the key to a cure or even supplying researchers with vital protective clothing and PPE to continue research on our behalf’s.

Who in your life has been impacted by Cancer in your life?

Let’s be the difference and help support a local charity in WA doing amazing things!

Please check out my page to donate.

Your generosity and kindness are truly appreciated xo