Come one, come all, was the call for the premiere screening of Smiling for Smiddy's documentary ‘Journey of Friends'. The word was out that it was worth seeing and over 300 eager Smiddy riders, family, friends and sponsors descended upon the Schonell Theatre at the University of Queensland last Wednesday 3 February for the premiere.

Challenge coordinator Rowan Foster welcomed everyone with some heartfelt words and I invited the 300 in attendance to stand up, embrace each other and let out our catch cry of "SMIDDY SMIDDY SMIDDY". This set the incredible positive tone for the evening and along with Adam's Father David Smiddy we all settled down to enjoy the emotional one hour documentary.

Through the screening there were the quiet moments in the crowd where you just knew tears were rolling. I have watched it ten times and it still affects me in that way. Then there were the funnier moments which brought the house down, and the beautiful moments where we were all taken by the incredible footage of the Queensland outback. It was an emotional roller coaster that you just didn't want to finish, and although it left you exhausted by the end you knew you had just watched something that was truly inspirational, moving and heartfelt.

For those yet to be part of the "Smiddy expeience" there was now an understanding of just how special the Smiddy Challenge is. Never have I been in a cinema that has ended with the audience clapping for a full hearty and passionate minute. I had goose bumps down my spine, tears of joy in my eyes, and a snotty nose that needed a good wiping...I was not alone!

Rowan invited the audience to hang around for free pizza and drinks and to our surprise nearly everybody did. The noise of chatter was music to my ears, as it was the positive chatter of people contributing to this gigantic positive ball of energy that I call ‘Smiddy Fever.' This is one fever you want! Let it -welcome it- into your life and let it infect all that it comes in contact with. The Smiddy fever has been spreading for nearly four years now and each person it touches changes their lives for good. Together, whether we are a rider, a road crew member, a sponsor, a family member, a friend or a work colleague, we can make a difference, ‘we do make a difference'. If what we do saves just one life then hasn't it all been worth it?

That night, and the next day, Rowan and I, and I know a lot of the past Smiddy riders present at this screening, were inundated with requests of, ‘How can I become a rider', ‘how can I get on the road crew,' ‘how can I help?' It is this outpouring of emotion and offers to help that is what we are all about. This year's two rides, the main Bottlemart Smiling for Smiddy Challenge in September and the new Middy-Smiddy three day ride in May offer a channel to utilise these offers of help. Through our efforts we aim to untie individuals and communities in the fight against cancer; keep our mate Adam's name alive; raise massive amounts of money for world-class research and to keep that ball of positive Smiddy energy growing to stupendous proportions.

Thank you to everyone who attended on the night and I am pleased to announce that we will be having another showing of the Smiddy doco in the near future. So keep an eye out, tell your friends and come back a second time. We would love to see you all again.

You can also purchase a copy of the documentary ‘Journey of Friends' via the Mater Foundation shop.

Catch you on the bike soon!

Mark 'Sharky' Smoothy