MERCURY SERIES - Making A Difference
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When Jodie Pyke lost her father Bruce Baker to leukaemia in February, she wanted to stage an event to help the Leukaemia Foundation provide support to other families going through a similar situation.
Next Friday that dream will become a reality when the new business she and husband Jason Pyke started last year, JPD SURF, hosts a Sunrise Stand Up Paddle Boarding fund-raising event at Lake Illawarra.
People are invited to try paddle boarding for a small donation as part of Angels at Work, coinciding with another breakfast fund-raising activity at Diggies at North Beach.
Mrs Pyke has challenged businesses south of the lake to see if they can raise as much or more as those to the north.
"We are inviting everyone who paddles and doesn't paddle down to Lake Illawarra [at 6am] and we have been in touch with Rotary to put on a barbecue breakfast," she said.
"We have angel wings for everyone and many boards so people can come and use our equipment to get on the water and watch the sunrise. We are also setting up an obstacle course to do some races. And some local companies are donating prizes. Tourism Shellharbour is also helping."
From the moment the Pykes started their paddle board business they wanted to help other families affected by leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma by offering respite on the water.
They offer free lessons while cancer patients are between treatments or in remission.
"It is because this cause is close to my heart," Mrs Pyke said.
"I remember the support we received throughout dad's treatment over the last 4½ years. We also know how family members such as partners, kids and carers, often have not been able to enjoy a day out. We think the water offers a sanctuary and a temporary escape for participants.
"We wanted to give our time to those who are going through tougher times by providing the opportunity to have a lesson."
When Mr Baker lost his four-year fight in February, the family's commitment to use their business to help others only increased.
JPD SURF already has 15 people signed up for another special day on the water for families affected by leukaemia just after this year's Angels at Work.
They do a community activity at least once a month.
"It has always been our intention to bring the sport out to everyone and making it accessible," Mrs Pyke said.
"We thought the best way to do that was to make it affordable and offer it to people who would not normally be able to do it, for nothing. That is really important to us."
Mrs Pyke contacted Angels at Work founder Beti Krsteski after Mr Baker died to ask if they could run a paddle board event to help raise money for research and support.
"We have had an overwhelming response on Facebook," Mrs Pyke said.
"We have 60 RSVPs and we even have people coming from Newcastle. We want people to book early so they secure one of our boards on the day. One hundred people is our goal."
Further information at angelsatworkfundraiser.com.au.