THE BOTTLEMART 2008 SMILING FOR SMIDDY CHALLENGE COMPLETED SAFELY
All the riders, support crew and film crew have completed the 1600 kilometres safely, with only a few bruises and 'sore bits' as evidence of one major tumble and eight days in the saddle.
Before departing on 13 September, riders took the opportunity for one final training ride - led by Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh and supported by our official Ambassador, Olympic legend, Duncan Armstrong. The Premier led the training ride around the University of Queensland, with Ride Director and founder Mark Smoothy, before wishing the riders success with fundraising and safety on the roads.
The event got underway on Saturday, 13 September 2008, when 50 riders, 10 support crew and a 3-man film crew departed Brisbane to tackle a charity bike challenge over eight days of gruelling riding covering 1600 kilometres, without any rest days - arriving in Home Hill on Saturday, 20 September.
The aim of the annual ride is to commemorate the life of physiotherapist, and keen triathlete, Adam Smiddy. Adam passed away in August 2006 from an aggressive cancer at age 26. Our aim is to honour his life by raising significant funds for the research and treatment of cancer through the Adam Smiddy Cancer Fund at the Mater Foundation.
In its first year, three riders raised $25,000. Last year, 22 riders raised $192,000! This year our target is $400,000, 100% of which will be donated to charities dealing with cancer research. The majority of the funds will be donated to the Mater Foundation with some funds being distributed to regional centres. We are primarily supporting work on melanoma and prostate cancer.
For the full flavour of the magnitude of the challenge, the journals make highly recommended and colourful reading!
Click here to download a general information leaflet on the 2008 Challenge (PDF).
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE MET, AND EXCEEDED, THE $400,000 TARGET FOR 2008. A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE COMMITTEE, RIDERS, SUPPORT CREW, SPONSORS, DONORS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HELPED TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE IN WAYS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL. IT ALL COUNTS. CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL.