From Mick Young

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G’day all,

On Saturday,13 Sept 2008, 50 riders (including myself) and 10 support crew will depart Brisbane to take part in the Bottlemart 2008 Smilling for Smiddy Challenge. This is a charity bike challenge over 8 days of gruelling riding covering 1600 km, without any rest days – From Brisbane to Home Hill.

The ride is to commemorate the life of physiotherapist, and keen triathlete, Adam Smiddy. Adam passed away in Aug 2006 from an aggressive cancer at age 26. Our aim is to honour his life by raising funds for the Adam Smiddy Cancer Fund to go towards the research and treatment of cancer.

In it’s first year, three riders raised $25,000.00. Last year, 22 riders raised $192,000.00 This year our target is $400.00.00, 100% of which will be donated to charities dealing with cancer research, thanks to all expenses being met by sponsors. The majority of the funds will be donated to the Mater Foundation with some funds being distributed to regional centres. We are primarily supporting work on melanoma and prostrate cancer.

I know you’re all loaded, so over the coming months I will be annoying the crap out of you seeking your support to ensure we meet and exceed our target of $400,000.00. To do this I will be conducting fund raising activities in the form of raffles, regular lunches etc. In addition, I would ask all people to consider a personal contribution. I will even consider “offering my services” if I thought it would help.

A visit to the informative web site, http://www.smilingforsmiddy.org.au/ will provide further details of the Bottlemart Smiling for Smiddy Challenge including all necessary info on how to make a donation, details of the route and all of the riders and the ability to follow the progress of the riders on line.

In anticipation of a great event and your generous contribution, I would like to say a big thank-you to you all. I will be in contact again in the near future to further discuss this event. In the meantime, should you require further info, please call me directly.

Regards

Mick Young