A MANDURAH teacher is in the middle of a massive fundraising mission to honour her father-in-law who recently lost his battle with cancer.
After being diagnosed with asbestos-caused cancer mesothelioma in 2008, he passed away in hospital 20 months later.
Mandurah Catholic College english teacher Kate Creed is taking on the third annual, two-day, 200-kilometre Ride to Conquer Cancer with her husband Brad, despite not riding long distances previously.
“I find that the riding and fundraising is really hard and it’s almost a metaphor to what people with cancer have to go through,” Mrs Creed said.
“No one will know exactly what they are experiencing unless they’ve gone through it as well, but I feel like it is a reflection.”
The Perth ride is Western Australia’s largest fundraising event series and so far, has raised $9.8million.
While this is Mrs Creed’s first year in the event, her mother took on the challenge last year.
“I figured if my 60-year-old mother could do the ride, so could I,” Mrs Creed.
Every participant has to raise a minimum $2500 for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research before they can take part in the October event.
So far, the Mandurah couple have raised about $7000 through different community events.
“We had a big quiz night at the Mandurah Lions Club because my father-in-law used to be treasurer there and raised $3000 from that,” Mrs Creed said.
“We also hired out the cinema for a night and did a Krispy Kreme drive.”
To donate to Mrs Creed’s efforts go to conquercancer.org.au and search for her name in the Perth ride.
