Former Gunnedah resident Wayne Irwin is doing his bit to raise money for cancer research by organising a charity ride in the area in November.
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The 400 kilometre route will take in Gunnedah, Narrabri, Wee Waa and Pilliga – the village where Mr Irwin grew up.
The cost for the day is $50 with funds to go towards food and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Mr Irwin was inspired to take action when he lost his brother Dale to cancer last year. He has also lost one of his sisters to cancer.
“I’ve lost family members and close friends in the past to cancer,” he said.
“Late last year, I lost my brother – and he was also my best mate – after three years of a battle with it. And I just found myself in a very dark spot for a while and needed to re-direct my anger to somewhere else.
“I’ve just redirected all my energy into this now and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
“I honestly believe if there’s going to be a cure found for cancer, it will be found here in Australia.”
Mr Irwin said the foundation had got alongside him in his fundraising efforts.
“They’ve been sensational, absolutely awesome, helping me out; giving me some ideas,” he said.
“Whether I raise $5 or $5000, that’s $5 more than they’ve got now.”
Mr Irwin said the campaign had generated a lot of interest in Brisbane and Sydney through social media.
“There’s people I don’t know who they are and they’re responding,” he said.
“I’d be disappointed if I don’t get about 80 [participants].”
Locally, Mr Irwin is utilising his contacts to get the word out through Gunnedah businesses, including his sister Robyn.
”A couple of Gunnedah businesses have been absolutely awesome,” he said.
“The kind-heartedness of people so far, people that have offered to help.”
Mr Irwin said he included Pilliga in the ride route because of its special significance.
“We grew up in Pilliga – we had property out at Pilliga and that’s pretty close to my heart, and my brother’s heart,” he said.
Participants will stop in Pilliga for lunch and finish up in Gunnedah for dinner. An auction and raffle will be conducted during the evening with some great prizes available.
Mr Irwin would like to know numbers by early September and will need email addresses to send through to the foundation.
For those who can’t take part in the ride but would like to support it, visit https://give.everydayhero.com/au/let-s-beat-the-bastard-ride
Businesses or individuals who wish to donate items for the auction can contact Wayne Irwin on 0488 765 842 or waynei2276@gmail.com
To keep up to date, visit www.facebook.com/letsbeatthebastardride/
