Alan White and Graeme Bland supported the Red Sky Ride this year.
Camera IconAlan White and Graeme Bland supported the Red Sky Ride this year. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Riding to help others

Emma ClaytonMelville Gazette

RAAFA's operations manager estates Alan White and immediate past state president Graeme Bland took on the fundraising challenge late last month, with Alan part of the cycling team and Graeme driving the support truck.

SolarisCare aims to improve the quality of life for WA cancer patients and their carers by providing free complementary therapy, support and information to help people to cope with the emotional and physical side effects of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

It is a cause close to Alan's heart, who has been part of the ride for more than six years now.

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"SolarisCare receives little Government funding and the Red Sky Ride provides much-needed funds, having raised more than $2.5 million over the past eight years," Alan said.

"The Red Sky Ride helps to promote the work of SolarisCare and also it provides the riders an opportunity to do something that most people would never undertake and it becomes a personal challenge.

"The pain and effort the riders go through is really nothing compared to what cancer patients have to endure.

"Personally, I love riding my bike and have raced and participated in the sport for more than 20 years. My role has been to organise and train the group each year I have participated.

"It provides me an opportunity to raise funds for a very worthy cause and allows me to continually challenge myself. The ride enables me to give something back to the community."

Graeme has also been part of the Red Sky Ride for the past eight years as the support truck driver behind the riders.

"Alan roped in me initially and this was my eighth year on the tour. We have it down to a fine art now," Graeme said.

"For me I enjoy it because it's helping out a great cause. With RAAFA I see a lot of veterans dealing with illness, sometimes cancer, so by supporting the Red Sky Ride for SolarisCare I can do something to help."