Port Douglas local mates, Gavin Hardy and Marco Piat prove that the Douglas Shire community are ardent supporters when it comes to a worthy cause, and the Tour de Cure event, which is very close to their heart, is one such cause.

Tour de Cure is about riding to raise awareness and funds to cure cancer for all. Riding a bike has been chosen as a vehicle to cure cancer as it promotes a healthy lifestyle which is key for preventing cancer.

This is Gavin’s fifth year and Marco’s second as Tour de Cure participants and during this time they have raised close to $108,000, together with another local rider Adam Jones, who has participated in the past.

This year will be the 10th year anniversary of the Tour de Cure which began over a coffee between two mates back in 2007, and will trace the signature annual tour from Brisbane to Sydney.

This year 120 riders will participate which is double the numbers from previous years. Out of the 120 riders approximately 40 are women and the numbers are growing.  Each rider is required to raise $12,000 to participate.

The Tour de Cure organisation is aiming to raise a total of $4.5 million dollars for 2016 and has raised over $20 million in nine years and funded over 242 cancer research, support and presentation projects, leading to 18 cancer breakthroughs.

Marco said he was drawn to this event through Gavin.

“We have been riding together for many years and I remember one day Gav telling me about the Tour de Cure and saying he might have to do it, and I was interested as well.

“We all know someone who has been affected by cancer,” said Marco.

Apart from his obsession to participate and keep fit, Gavin was inspired to participate by a local who was suffering from brain cancer back in 2011.

“This gives me a goal, something to ride for and the training hours go towards helping others not just yourself,” said Gavin.

The most rewarding part of the ride for both of them is the visits they make to schools along the tour and it “wouldn’t matter if there were 12 or 1,200 students” they still stop to meet their number one supporters - the kids.

“You can hear the kids from three blocks away when we ride into their towns, you can hear them screaming, they treat us like rock stars, asking for autographs.” said Marco.

Plus the kids can respond to the cause because of their own experiences with the effects of cancer, Marco explained.

“This is the best part, getting the kids all excited and supporting their own Tour de Cure events in their home towns as well,” said Gavin.

The riders engage approximately 5,000 primary age school children along the tour and conduct presentations with the children to raise awareness.

“We present the message about being fit, being healthy and being happy and raise awareness that one in three cancers are preventative by life style choices,” said Marco.

As well as being the most heart warming part of the tour, Marco and Gavin said it is also about dispelling any myths the kids might have.

“We ask the kids to put their hand up if they know someone with cancer.  We ask them if they think cancer can be caught and some of the kids put their hands up, so by dispelling the myth, we can raise more awareness,” said Marco and Gavin.

Another highlight along the tour is presenting $10,000 donations to various communities for support towards cancer related projects that best serve those communities.

Riding approximately 150 to 170kms per day on the tour, this could take the riders somewhere between 6 to 12 hours each day depending on the amount of towns they stop at during the day.  The tour runs for ten days and commences in Brisbane on 29th April and ends in Sydney on the 8th May.

“This is a life changing experience for us, even riders share their own cancer experiences and stories, and their determination keeps them going.  So there are plenty of tears shed during the tour,” they both said.

In their efforts to raise the $12,000 to participate in Tour de Cure, Gavin and Marco are holding a Gala Dinner and Auction on Saturday 12th March at the Sugar Wharf in Port Douglas.

To help assist Gavin and Marco raise funds to help find a cure for cancer on their Tour de Cure fund raising campaign, please purchase tickets here.

For further details please contact Annie Crowson at anniecrowson@me.com or visit their Facebook Events Page