Race to help save memories

By Lachlan Ellis

In tribute to his father, a Moorabool man is getting on his motorbike to raise money for Alzheimer’s research, taking part in a two-day race through desert country in the Northern Territory.

Peter Bedford from Bacchus Marsh will participate in the Finke Desert Race over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, inspired by his dad Chris, who died from early-onset Alzheimer’s aged 67.

Chris Bedford was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at just 59 years of age, and for seven years he battled the disease, before passing away last year.

The Finke Desert Race leaves from Alice Springs to the remote community of Aputula (formerly Finke) on Day 1, then heads back from Aputula to Alice Springs on Day 2 – a journey of around 230 km each way.

It’s known as the toughest off-road race in Australia, and is often compared to the Dakar Rally – but Mr Bedford is keen to twist the throttle come June 12.

“Up on my wife’s farm I’m always on the motorbike…and the race is always something I’ve wanted to do, bit of a life challenge so to speak. When Dad passed, I thought, he didn’t get a chance to do everything he wanted to do. Life’s too short, I thought, I’m just going to do it,” he told the Moorabool News.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous about the race…I’ve been out on the bike every week practicing since about November.”

Mr Bedford said his father’s diagnosis was one of many examples proving that Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect the elderly – a fact he is keen to raise awareness of.

“I guess I think more about my kids…if I can do something to help prevent something happening to them, that would be good. But also, to try and make people aware of it too…it’s not just an old people’s thing, it can happen to anyone,” Mr Bedford said.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-05-10/6

in the 10 May 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.