From the river to the sea for FECRI

IN November of 2019, Jim Waight was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s follicular lymphoma.

Undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy, the keen cyclist always looked forward to his next escape; jumping on his road bike for a ride.

Passionate about the ritual and camaraderie of cycling, and discovering new cancer treatments, Mr Waight his friends will ride 520 kilometres over two days from Swan Hill to Port Fairy.

Participating in the Murray to Moyne fundraising event next month, the goal of the team, Jimmy’s Allsorts, is to raise more than $30,000 for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

“It’s the only regional cancer research institute in Australia, so our team coming from Ballarat are very proud to support FECRI, because it’s a part of us, and it’s who we are in our town,” Mr Waight said.

“There’s been a huge amount of support… and our team is very grateful for that because it’s not about our team, it’s about the work of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, which will only benefit future generations of people who are suffering from this disease.”

Recently, a teenager in Mr Waight’s life had treatment for a brain tumour. He knew he had to act.

“The thing that I can do is cycle to raise funds to bring about a cure, so that people don’t suffer and die prematurely, leaving their family without a father, brother, aunty or 15-year-old son,” Mr Waight said.

Jimmy’s Allsorts include John Carr, Jamey Coles, Isaac Manley, Jed Manley, Scott Petrie, Matthew Sheehan, Mark Verberne, Aaron Brennan, Travis Hoyle, Stuart Birkin, Damian Larkin, and Damian Waight.

“I wouldn’t be here today without the support of the men in my team. I’d like to publicly thank them for being here with me. The ‘who’ in this team is important.”

Last week, the fundraising initiative launched at St Patrick’s College on World Cancer day, 4 February. The event was hosted by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, Michelle Payne.

“The whole Allsorts project is about inspiration, courage, giving it your all, and making a difference,” she said.

Visit facebook.com/jimmysallsorts or bit.ly/3tn1cAq to donate.