Pushing on for cancer funds

On October 19, Mrs Nolan will embark on the Supersun Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 200km ride over two days, which raises money for cancer research.

The event is held in five cities throughout Australia, attracting thousands of competitors each year, but to get to the starting line Mrs Nolan first has to come up with $2500 and she is hoping the community will get behind her.

‘A lot of my family members have had cancer,’ she said.

‘My colleague’s six-year-old son has also recently died from it, so if I can raise money that will go towards research and help prevent this happening in the future, I’m prepared to do anything to make that possible.’

The ride will start with an opening ceremony to remember those lost to cancer, before competitors ride through the foothills of the Darling Ranges, Perth’s urban centre and beside the Indian Ocean.

Since taking up cycling 10 months ago, Mrs Nolan has dedicated all her spare time to training, which includes riding 30km to Living Waters Lutheran College, where she works, and back again each day.

‘I’ve just completed my first 106km ride to Perth ” it almost killed me, but I did it with the support from my friends who kept pushing me to keep going.

‘I also had to see what my mother-in-law went through when she had cancer and despite going through so much pain and suffering she still managed a smile each day.

‘So I don’t think having to push myself to keep riding is much in comparison,’ she said.

After putting in so much effort already, Mrs Nolan looks set to be a stand-out competitor and plans to finish the first 100km of the race in fours hours, but she insists it is not about being competitive, it’s all about raising money for those in need.

To help Mrs Nolan raise the $2500 she needs to gain entry to the Supersun Ride to Conquer Cancer, you can donate through the website: www.conquercancer.org.au and search for her name, listed under Allyson-Marie Nolan.