Sport
25 October, 2024
Pedalling for a cure
ELEVEN year-old Bentley Currell of Camperdown has a heart as big as Mt Leura.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, and always keen to initiate a fundraising event to raise money to benefit others, Bentley and his proud dad Gus are planning to next year ride from Mildura to Camperdown to raise funds for the Brain Cancer Foundation.
“This ride will take us on a journey of approximately 520 kilometres and was all Bentley’s idea,” Gus said.
“I’m really proud of him; he truly does have a big heart and is always thinking of others.”
The pair are now in training for the ride and are planning to cover at least 50 kilometres a day on their bikes, aiming to complete the journey in about 10 days.
While for some, pedalling such a long distance in a relatively short timeframe may seem daunting, for Bentley it is a challenge he is confident he will conquer.
“Bentley isn’t daunted by the distance, we’re really enjoying riding together and training and this won’t be the first time he has done a charity ride – this one will just be a little longer than the first.”
Bentley’s first charity ride/walk was earlier this year when he raised just over $1500 in a month for the Epilepsy Foundation.
Not long after, he approached his dad with his “new idea.”
“Just a few weeks after the Epilepsy fundraiser Bentley came to me with the idea of a second charity ride, from Mildura to Camperdown, to raise money for brain cancer awareness and I accepted the challenge,” Gus said.
“Bentley told me the reason he chose this foundation was became the disease had impacted a staff member at his school (Camperdown College) and he wanted to do his bit to help find a cure.”
In between training sessions on the bike, Bentley and Gus are working hard to gain sponsorship and support for their ride.
They are hoping local residents, families and businesses will get behind them and donate what they can, whether that be direct to the Brain Cancer Foundation or to help offset costs associated with the trip.
“We’re looking to raise as much as we can over the next seven odd months and would greatly appreciate all donations, big or small,” Gus said.
“Our support vehicle on the ride will carry the name/logos of our sponsors and we will post regular updates on my socials which will again highlight those who have donated.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can email bgcurrell@bigpond.com or go to http://shoutforgood.com/fundraisers/Bentleysrideforbraincancer