LIAM DURKIN
By LIAM DURKIN
MOE woman Michaela Heywood has spent the month of October raising money to help fight kids’ cancer.
Taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge, Michaela rode more than 500 kilometres and
raised well over $1000 for the cause.
To put that effort into perspective, that is like riding from Sale to Canberra.
Or perhaps, more appropriately, we should site some local sporting venues around Moe and
Newborough.
That is roughly 1250 laps of Ted Summerton Reserve, or 1500 laps of Olympic Park or Burrage Reserve.
Michaela has been a familiar face at those venues over the years, supporting Moe Football-Netball Club, Moe United Soccer Club and Newborough/
Yallourn United Soccer Club.
Her son Matthew is a current senior player for the Lions, while husband Steve has played for the Red Devil’s and coached the Combine.
Last month, Michaela decided to again take part in the cycle challenge, continuing a tradition that has gone on virtually every year since 2016.
Michaela said she felt it was a worthy cause.
“Kids should be living life, not fighting for it,” she said.
“I am riding and raising funds to support the Children’s Medical Research Institute to continue their work into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and finding a cure for childhood cancer.
“Right now, cancer is the largest single killer of children from disease in Australia – over 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, three die every week.”
Completing between 20km and 50km rides each day, Michaela has been helped thanks to the efforts of locals supporting her along the way.
A huge 51.6-km ride was completed on Sunday, October 23, going from Moe to Yarragon and back.
In order to change up the scenery, Michaela rode different routes around Moe/Newborough, as well as rides going out to Westbury and coming back via Trafalgar East.
While wet weather deterred many sports last month, it did little to stop Michaela – if it rained she simply completed an indoor ride.
Somewhat fittingly, her first year taking part in the challenge coincided with a special one for her beloved Western Bulldogs.
Just like her devotion to the Bulldogs, it looks like her commitment to fighting kids’ cancer isn’t going to end anytime soon.
Donations to Michaela’s Great Cycle Challenge are still open.
Those wishing to donate can do so by visiting https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/MichaelaHeywood
