Rockingham cyclist raises $20,000 for kids’ cancer research

A Rockingham man has jumped on his bike and raised more than $20,000 for kids’ cancer research.

For the second year in a row, Ian Lynass took part in the Great Cycle Challenge, where participants ride their bikes to raise money for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.

He rode 1000km during October. “I started riding when I retired to keep healthy, and I knew some people who were doing the Great Cycle Challenge, so I thought I’d give it a crack,” Mr Lynass said. “In my first year I wanted to raise $2000, and I couldn’t believe it when I raised $14,000.

Mr Lynass said he was inspired to start because he lost a child more than 20 years ago and though it wasn’t to cancer, he never wanted anyone else to have to feel that pain.

“I was very young, and it really changes your life, so from that perspective I just wanted to do what I could to change lives for others. I think when you put a personal perspective into it there’s a lot more to ride for. I just don’t know where kids who are fighting cancer get the courage,” he said.

“There are a lot of charity bike rides around, but I really like this one, we’re all doing it at the same time right around Australia and it feels like we’re all rallying together. I love to think about how many people are giving it a crack to make a real difference in people’s lives. People don’t think about research and the effort that goes into it. When you see an event like this you realise that all the little people stepping up can make a difference together.’’

Associate Professor Tony Cesare said CMRI’s scientists are not guaranteed any government funding, so they rely on fundraising campaigns like the Great Cycle Challenge to help with their research.

“This year has been difficult for everyone, including our researchers who haven’t been able to work in the labs the same as we normally would, but our research hasn’t stopped because cancer doesn’t stop,” Mr Cesare said.

“What motivates us is knowing that every day a new child is diagnosed with cancer and every day a parent is holding out hope that just one innovation or one discovery may be the difference between whether a child survives or not.’’