SINCE 2017, Brad Morante has taken part in the Great Cycle Challenge, a national Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) fundraising initiative held throughout the month of October.

The Challenge started in 2013, and now in its tenth year, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in Australia.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal throughout October to fight kids’ cancer.

Over the last nine years, 81,047 riders from all six states and territories have ridden a total of 26,125,995km, together raising $34,322,501 in support of research to develop better treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

For Brad, taking part in the Challenge has deep personal meaning, and he will ride 100km throughout the month of October in memory of his parents.

“I lost both my mother and father to cancer and their loss affected me and my family deeply,” Brad said.

“I can not imagine what it must be like to have a child fighting this terrible disease.

“Right now, cancer is the largest single killer of children from disease in Australia – over 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, three die every week.

“Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.

“And so I am riding and raising funds to support the Children’s Medical Research Institute to continue their work into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and finding a cure for childhood cancer,” Brad said.

Thanks to the generosity of the local community, Brad has been among the top 20 fundraisers in the country each year he has taken part.

“Over $50k raised for the Children’s Medical Research Institute, an amazing result for a relatively small community,” Brad said.

Wednesday, 12 October is ‘Kick Cancer’s Butt Day’, where each dollar donated to Brad’s fundraiser is matched dollar for dollar.

“That’s when my tradie mates, local businesses and community members can really make a difference.

“Tax free donations can be simply made securely using the link to my page at https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/BradMorante.

“After the donation is made a tax invoice will be sent.

“Only donations made this Wednesday, 12 October, made via the link online will be matched dollar for dollar.”

Each year of taking part, Brad has been presented a ‘Heroes Jersey’, awarded to Challenge participants who raise $1000 or more.

“Previously I have presented these to young cancer patients riding in the challenge but over the last three years I have made a challenge via Facebook that the person or business donating the single largest donation on ‘Kick Cancer’s Butt Day’ gets the framed heroes jersey with a certificate of appreciation.

Past winners of the jersey are DRV Conveyors (2019), Rod Morrison Gyprocking (2020) and WL& Em Jones Building Pty (2021).

For more information about the Challenge, visit https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Pages/about/the-cause/about-the-challenge