Smiling for Smiddy riders refuel in Clermont

Rio Tinto Coal Australia will help a group of weary cyclists refuel in Clermont tomorrow night, after riding more than 1,000 kilometres from Brisbane to raise money for cancer research.

But the journey won't stop there. The cyclists, riding in the Bottlemart 2008 Smiling for Smiddy challenge, will have another 600 kilometres to go before reaching their destination, Home Hill south of Townsville.

The Smiling for Smiddy challenge, now in its third year, is in memory of keen triathlete Adam Smiddy, who died at age 26 from aggressive melanoma.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is premium sponsor of this year's challenge, providing $20,000 between its four Bowen Basin mines. It also has nine employees participating in the ride.

Blair Athol Mine general manager operations Andrew Cole said raising money for cancer research was important to the company.

"At Rio Tinto Coal Australia, we value the health and wellbeing of our workforce," Mr Cole said.

"We encourage our employees to be sun smart through simple measures, like wearing long sleeves, which is particularly important in regions like Central Queensland.

"Supporting the Smiling for Smiddy challenge is a great way for us to share these values with the broader community."

Blair Athol Mine will help the riders refuel by providing accommodation and dinner at the Blair Athol Recreation Hall, with Olympian Duncan Armstrong master of ceremonies.

A selection of sporting treasures will be auctioned to bolster funds, including 2008 Olympic memorabilia from Beijing, a V8 supercar door from racing champion Jason Bright and a 2007 Smiddy jersey signed by Tour de France runner up, Cadell Evans.

Challenge director Mark Smoothy said all the money raised would go to the Mater Foundation and regional centres to support melanoma and prostate cancer research, as well as an investigation into complementary therapies for cancer patients.

"Melanoma kills more than 200 Queenslanders each year, while one in eight Queensland men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime," Mr Smoothy said.

"These are sad statistics and I know our riders are being driven by their own motivations and personal experiences to help in the fight to cure cancer."

For more information, or to make a donation, go to www.smilingforsmiddy.org.au

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Alison Smith
07 3361 4223 / 0438 787 038

Media release - Smiling for Smiddy riders refuel in Clermont [PDF: 17 KB]