Cycling for Smiddy

CYCLISTS from across Australia and New Zealand are putting the pedal to the metal to help fight cancer as they embark on the three-day, 580- kilometre Midi-Smiddy Challenge from 16 to 18 May 2014.
A team of 50 cyclists will leave Brisbane on a long-weekend circuit, cycling South East Queensland’s most scenic and challenging terrain and arriving in Warwick on 17 May.
Challenge director Mark Smoothy said the Smiddy events attracted riders determined to take on a huge cycling challenge and help raise funds for world-class research at Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI).
He said the Smiddy mission was to add to the $4 million already raised by this cycling program for world-class research being carried out at the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI).
Adam Smiddy died, aged just 26, from an aggressive melanoma and his mate Mark ‘Sharky’ Smoothy wanted to honour their pact to do a credit card ride – ride for a few days in one direction with nothing more than a credit card then catch a bus home. That dream was never realised.
But Adam Smiddy’s funding legacy to cancer research, via his mate Sharky, is something very special.
“It’s a sad thought but chances are that most people have fought cancer themselves or seen the disease affect someone close to them, whether it’s family, a friend or work colleague,” Sharky said.
“That’s why it’s fantastic to see such a dedicated community of riders, support crew and donors united by a common goal to cure cancer and come together to feel the Smiddy spirit and tackle this challenge.”
Smiling for Smiddy is an annual program of cycling and triathlon challenge events which support cancer research projects at MMRI in the areas of melanoma, prostate and ovarian cancer as well as complementary therapies to improve quality of life for cancer patients.
The first Smiddy event was held in 2006, when three cyclists embarked on an epic journey from Brisbane to Townsville to raise funds for cancer research and honour the memory of their mate, Adam Smiddy.
From that first event, Warwick has had a special relationship with this event according to CEO of Warwick Tourism and Events Tracey Vellacott
“This relationship came about some years ago when I was in the council’s communications/events role,” she said.
“The organisation approached then mayor Ron Bellingham in regard to support for their event to travel into Warwick. Ron believed (as he always does) in the power of drawing events to the region and council provided support by way of hall hire and staff time initially. WTE now acts as this organisation’s conduit into the Warwick community.
“Why… I guess we were just lucky to initially be on the circuit from Brisbane and back again, probably because Rowan Foster, one of the key organisers at the time, had family connections into Warwick and did his own training rides out here in the country.
“I truly can’t stress enough what wonderful people they are. The first dinner I attended, Maria Smiddy, Adam’s mum, spoke to the crowd and told them about her boy, his friendship with Sharky and how incredibly humbled he would be by the great things happening in his name. They have actually named a park (on Park Rd) in his honour… it’s where lots of cyclists congregate or head off on rides from.”
From that initial Townsville ride, Smiling for Smiddy has grown to include six events throughout the year, raising more than $4 million since the program’s inception.
Warwick residents and sportsmen and women are urged to support the Smiddy team in their fight against cancer when cyclists arrive in Warwick as part of the Midi-Smiddy Challenge on 17 May.
Locals have the chance to enjoy a hearty dinner with the Smiling for Smiddy cyclists at a fund-raising dinner to be held at the Warwick Senior Citizens Centre. For more details or to make a booking, contact Tracy Vellacott on 4661 9073.