| Hi Friend
We all expect by year 12 of the Great Cycle Challenge for Kids Cancer that you will have had a weekly newsletter updating you of the riding effort and asking for donations
Anybody having a look at the Kids cancer page will be wondering why Mark has ridden just over 200 kms with a week to go. What happened to the Great Victoria rail trail and orchid hunting idea he wrote about?
A bunch of things happened to get in the way. Byron's grandfather passed away in NZ - Byron is my wife's son. He had a great innings and did more years than most. The big blow was my sister's youngest daughter succumbed after a long struggle with breast cancer. That hit me really hard as she was very talented, a great mother and only in her 40s leaving behind her man and 3 boys.
About then I saw the ads for the 7 Bridges walk - walk the 28 kms across the 7 Sydney bridges. I have lived here 25 years now and cannot even say I have driven over all 7 - done 6 by car and a few by bike is my guess. Been along while since I walked 28 kms in a day - one day in the army in 1975 - 40 kms with full gear - and 2 years ago - walked 40,000 steps in a day when we moved house. So I signed up to do the walk and put a bit more attention on walking - over 10,000 steps every day since then
What else could get in the way of a Great Victoria rail trail explore? Lorraine's father passed away August 29. Stay home. Lorraine developed bronchitis about then and it will just not go away - stay home. And then one of our close cycling friends passed away a few weeks back - massive aneurism while she was out cycling. Stay home.
And there has been steps training - also motivated by my brother facing throat cancer treatment as we speak. I do have steps numbers but need to knock off the time on the bike - so let's say 1600 kms pure walking this year. The 7 Bridges Walk is for Cancer Council - with the funds going to Cancer Council NSW and towards life-saving cancer research, prevention and support services - rather than dedicated to kids research. The support roles they offer are very important.
Stepping back a bit - one big highlight for 2025 was the addition of a new grandchild - welcome Violette Rose - 4 months old yesterday.
Thanks always for your support
Mark Carrington
ps., If you would like to make donations other than through the suggested links - like Bitcoin or direct deposit or bank transfer - just let me know and I will make it happen pps., The last email I sent had a few bounced email addresses - I have updated those where I could using LinkedIn contact information - most of you are linked there ppps., If you do not want to get any more of these messages please hit the unsubscribe button - not the spam button.
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