Smiddy charity ride aims for $400,000

Two years ago keen cyclist and triathlete Adam Smiddy died of cancer, at the age of 26. To commemorate the young man from Home Hill in Queensland, Australia, a charity ride called Smiling for Smiddy has been organised to raise money for cancer research and treatment through the Adam Smiddy Cancer Fund at the Mater Foundation.

The ride, which begins on September 13, will cover 1600 kilometres from Brisbane to Smiddy's home town of Home Hill near Townsville in just eight days. Now in its third year, the 50 riders and 10 support staff aim to reach a target of raising $400,000 AUD for the cancer fund. In its first year three riders raised $25,000 AUD, while last year 22 riders raised $192,000 AUD. All money raised will be donated to charities, with a focus on melanoma and prostate cancer.

Smiddy was diagnosed with a melanoma in February 2006, for which he received surgery before going into remission. Later that year he relapsed with a very aggressive form of cancer and passed away just five week later. Smiddy's dream was to do what he called a 'credit card ride': to leave home with nothing but a credit card and see where you ended up. The Smiling for Smiddy ride has been set up to honour his dream.