By NICOLE VALICEK
KEANE Collier recently completed an epic 200-kilometre cycling event, but he said the challenge of the ride was nothing compared to the cause it was helping.
The Seaholme resident is fresh from participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer fund-raising event.
The Melbourne ride stretched from Albert Park to Hastings and benefits the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
The first time competitor said he was inspired to do the ride after a close family member of his fiancé was diagnosed with cancer around this time last year.
“The fund-raising and the awareness they get out of that weekend is second to none,” Keane said.
Keane said the family member, who finished chemotherapy and radiation earlier this year, went through the Peter MacCallum centre for treatment and care.
“A lot of people I’ve known went through the private system, Peter MacCallum is the only public system in Australia dedicated to cancer, it touched a bit closer to home.”
Keane said he hadn’t done anything like the ride before but wanted to help.
“I felt like a great sense of achievement to be able to finish it and to raise money,” he said.
“What I went through on the bike ride was nowhere near what anybody has to go through with cancer.”
Keane said it was difficult to raise funds for the event, but was grateful for the local businesses who donated and all those who supported him in the community. He exceeded all expectations and raised almost $4500.
