Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride
Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th July 2022
Over 200 riders and 50 support volunteers will participate in the 22nd annual Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride (TCBR) this year with the goal of raising over $300,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI). Riders depart from Mercure Townsville and ride 352kms to Cairns over three days.
The event is one of the biggest fundraisers for the CCI to continue their vital research to cure childhood cancer and reduce the long term side effects from treatment. We caught up with some of our local business owners to find our more about their involvement in this iconic charity ride.
Patrick Sutton
Principal, Legalsense NQ
TCBR President
This will be my 12th ride, and this year my 16 year old sons, Liam and Ryan, will also be riding. I’m aiming to raise $2500 through my business network, family and friends. It’s just an amazing experience, the mateship along the way, helping others to achieve their goals as a group leader and now President, and the ultimate reward is raising funds for the kids. We have one little girl that 12 years ago turned up in Cairns to see us and thank us for the support we were giving to the CCI. She had no hair and looked pretty sick. I was not sure we would see her the next year. Well 12 years later she has amazing flowing locks and is a brilliant young lady enjoying life as she should. That is what makes a sore bum and sore legs over three days worth putting up with! Professionally it is a time to catch up with like-minded people, enjoy some down time as it is pretty much technology free whilst riding and enjoying these three days doing something you love doing.
Ben Woodford with Glenda Woodford
Owner, BNG Sports
I have ridden more than 10 times since the ride started and have sponsored the event for many years. In addition to our sponsorship, I’m aiming to crack the $1000 mark in fundraising by haggling my friends, family and our clients to dig deep.
In the lead up to the event, things get busy for us instore as we prepare everyone’s bikes to make sure they are fit and safe to ride come event weekend. Two of our staff members are also riding this year, and whilst the ride is on we will be busy with any minor repairs that may need doing to make sure we get all the riders to Cairns. My wife Glenda will be back at the store working hard to keep our customers back home happy while we’re away for the ride.
Participating in this event as a rider and a sponsor gives us personally and professionally something to be proud of. To see first-hand success stories of kids that have beat the disease is great as we know everyone’s combined efforts do make a difference to the lives of these children. Both Glenda and I are very proud to be a part of this event.
Tracey Osmond
The Voice Singing School
I have ridden in the TCBR eight times and am riding for all children affected by cancer, in particular 18 year old Erin Peterson, who survived Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects muscle tissue in children and adolescents. Due to the ongoing research in children’s cancer, Erin’s story is one of victory and hope, and she is today living a healthy, happy life.
I am aiming to fundraise $5000 by hosting concerts with students from The Voice Singing School. As a business owner, it’s due to the incredible staff who understand what the ride means to me and rally around helping me to fundraise and manage my time away for the ride. Luckily the training starts at 5am so doesn’t interfere with working hours in the lead up….just sleeping hours!
Deb Lye with Matt Lye
Owner, Townsville Appliance Service
This will be my first time riding to Cairns, however Matt has ridden in the TCBR for over 10 years. I have driven to Cairns for over 10 years now to meet them all at the end. To be totally honest I was never riding a bike on a road, I thought these guys were crazy We had a rider from our group who we lost to Cancer not long after the 2019 ride, he was my inspiration to get on a bike and I fell in love with it. I am riding to help raise funds to find the cure, it feels good to be part of such a great cause.
My fundraising goal is to achieve $500, so we are running a pie drive, selling chocolates and relying on donations from family and friends.
I am very lucky to have a supportive team of staff that take care of our business like it’s their own. We have our set training days and are up nice and early to get our training in so not to interfere with the day schedule of work. I feel bike riding, getting out in the fresh air and catching up with friends is very good for me. There is always a sense of achievement each ride, I always told myself I couldn’t and now I am finding my confidence is growing as I have shown myself I can. Exercising in general is good for the mind which I feel sets you up for your day of work and when running a busy business, it’s necessary.
To donate visit www.tcbr.org.au
Image credit (main photo): Hello Blue Productions
