General News
18 October, 2023
Father-son duo cycling for a cause
TERANG’S Lee McIntosh and his son Riley are aiming to ride 100 kilometres this month to raise funds for kids battling cancer.
TERANG’S Lee McIntosh and his son Riley are aiming to ride 100 kilometres this month to raise funds for kids battling cancer.
The duo will be taking part in the Great Cycling Challenge, which Mr McIntosh has been taking part in since 2019.
Over the years the family team has helped to raise funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute to support their work in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and perhaps even one day finding a cure.
The father-son duo is riding in solidarity with Terang’s Pippa Irving, who was diagnosed with pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
“I know a few people who either have cancer or have had cancer,” Mr McIntosh said.
“I used to do the local Relay for Life but it started to wind down around five years ago.
“I wanted something else to do and stumbled across the Great Cycling Challenge and thought it would be something worth supporting.
“I always want to give back and for something like childhood cancer, and having a few friends impacted by it, it’s one of those things which makes you want to do what you can.”
This year marks five years since Mr McIntosh began his Great Cycling Challenge fundraising effort every October, and the unofficial fourth year since Riley got involved.
Riley unofficially took part in the second year and decided he’d continue on the journey with his dad.
Over the years they have cycled more than 400 kilometres and raised thousands of dollars for the cause.
Mr McIntosh said the support of the community over the years had been a great source of motivation, especially during the tougher years.
“Last year my goal was 150 kilometres during October and we had some pretty ordinary weather (131.2mm of rain, the most during a month on the year),” he said.
“I got towards the end of the month and had a lot of kilometres to go but the community supporting the fundraiser really motivated me, knowing I had all those people behind me and supporting me.
“It kept me going.”
At the time of publication Lee and Riley have combined to raise more than $1000 this year.
Anyone wanting to throw their support behind Lee and Riley’s fundraiser can visit greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/Lee McIntosh to donate.
“It’s one of those things where it’s hard to look at the facts,” Mr McIntosh said.
“Around 750 Australian kids are diagnosed with cancer each year, and around 100 die.”