Inverell's Michael Jorgensen was looking forward to riding in last year's Tour de Cure to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

While that event was cancelled because of the pandemic, he is currently preparing for the revamped tour starting this weekend.

READ ALSO

"I am very excited to start this adventure! I've been working hard with training, losing a bit of weight, trying to get healthier, and I'm really looking forward to the experience and adventure," he said.

"I've had a cancer story myself and I'm on the positive side of that, I've got a passion for cycling and I thought this is a good opportunity to help raise some funds to help out with some financial need in drug studies."

He will be joined by his wife Kate, who will be taking part as a support crew member in the convoy.

"She's coming along to experience the Tour de Cure experience too."

CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE EMAILS FEATURING THE BEST LOCAL NEWS AND STORIES, AS WELL AS OUR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

People can still donate by looking him up on the Tour de Cure's website and searching for him. While all the money goes straight to the cause, Mr Jorgensen said it was "just as important" to raise awareness.

"If nothing else, if people are just aware that prostate cancer is one of the highest diagnosed cancers," he said.

"Everyone talks about breast cancer, but prostate is very high and blokes don't want to talk about it. It's one of those taboo things.

"Yes I want funding, I need funding, but I also want people to be aware."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: