Rider cranks out kilometres for the kids

MOUNTAIN biker and road cyclist Matt Attiwill will be on two wheels for much of next month in support of children’s cancer research.

For the second time, the 42-year-old father of three will be riding at least 1000 kilometres in October as part of the Great Cycle Challenge, to raise funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.

“It’s disheartening to hear that over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and three children lose their lives to this terrible disease every week,” he said.

“We need to work together to change this, and 100 per cent of the money raised goes directly to helping children with cancer.”

Attiwill said he has a “true passion” for biking and cycling off and on road, and in the Great Cycle Challenge last year, he raised more than $4750.

In 2023, he has a goal to go further by at least $250.

“I’ll be getting out on the bike and doing what I would normally be doing, but raising money for a good cause, and the more people who get behind it, the more children and families we can help in their fight against childhood cancer,” he said.

“The support I got from work friends and people around me last year was overwhelming. I’d never done anything like this before, so it was a good feeling.”

He is set to ride a few loops of differing lengths, including in the Yendon and Mount Edgerton areas, and towards White Swan Reservoir.

Attiwill is part of the Bodycranks Great Cycle Challenge team with members aiming to organise group rides. Visit bit.ly/451sT3y to support the campaign.