Cycling fundraiser benefits cancer patients

BALLARAT community cycling fundraising group the Velorats have launched this year’s Murray to Moyne cycle relay campaign to raise money for Grampians Health.

The 2025 fundraiser was officially launched last Saturday.

The group’s goal is to raise $41,000 to purchase a microwave ablation machine, which uses heat generated from microwaves to destroy cancer cells.

It is regarded as faster, less painful and cheaper per use than existing treatment options.

“The technology is a great innovation in that we can utilise it to kill cancer cells, like a cancer mass in a kidney; it saves the patient having their kidney removed completely,” Grampians Health Ballarat radiology nurse unit manager Bronwyn Bentley said.

“It is the latest technology for this kind of thing and means people don’t have to travel to Melbourne to have it.”

The team will cycle 520 kilometres for the initiative, beginning in Echuca on Saturday 5 April and arriving in Port Fairy on Sunday 6 April.

The Velorats have been participating in the event for 22 years and have raised more than $320,000 for charity.

“Cancer rates are high, everybody gets touched by cancer,” Velorats member Luke Dunn said.

“It was the cause we chose for this year pretty unanimously; it is something that can greatly influence turnaround times and treatment.”

The launch event was held at Racers Cafe by Lake Wendouree.

Cafe owner Adam Rasmussen is also a member of the Velorats.

He said being a part of the group has physical and mental benefits.

“The camaraderie with the riders is just amazing and for me riding is not just about riding the bike, it’s about the social and the support you get,” he said.

“It’s really important for people to have a group.”

To make a donation visit velorats-murray2moyne-2025.raiselysite.com.