Cycling to Everest to fight children’s cancer

HOW many laps of the city would you complete for a cause that matters to you?

A team of riders representing Club SMS are clocking up kilometres to collectively cycle the distance from Ballarat to Mount Everest.

Part of the Great Cycle Challenge 2020, the initiative is to raise funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute, and to fight kids’ cancer.

Pharmacist, cyclist and founder of not-for-profit group Support, Motivate & Serve, Bobby Mehta said the team will travel about 9500 kilometres.

“We’re doing a lot of individual and group rides. Some have travelled the Skipton Rail Trail, and some have gone around the lake seven times,” he said.

“We have 30 people in our team and everyone is chipping in.”

Ten of the Club SMS teammates are children, including one nine-year-old who is set to break his own 300-kilometre milestone this week.

Mr Mehta said all the young people have been doing an impressive and “phenomenal” job.

“It’s important for them to be involved. The lessons kids take away at that young age is that they’re doing something good, people are supporting them, and they’re helping others.

“Hopefully they will hold these lessons throughout their youth and into adulthood,” he said.

The team encourages the community to offer support via greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Teams/ClubSMS, or for businesses to express interest in providing sponsorship in 2021.

“If they want to back us, we’re looking to get jerseys printed that are loud, proud and visible around Ballarat,” Mr Mehta said.

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