Kanahooka grandfather Elwyn Jordan has fond memories of driving his classic Triumph with grandson Joshua Bell along for the ride.
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Sadly eight-year-old Joshua died in January 2015 after a 12-month battle with brain cancer, but Mr Jordan is honouring his memory with a classic car and bike event.
All funds raised from the May 21 event at the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre will go to The Kids Cancer project, an independent national charity dedicated to supporting childhood cancer research.
‘’Joshua was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in February 2014; they operated to remove the cancer and he underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation,’’ Mr Jordan said.
It is a shocking statistic that brain cancer kills more children than any other disease in Australia.
‘’But subsequent scans revealed the tumour had returned and specialists determined there was nothing else they could do.
‘’In June 2014 they gave him weeks to live but he battled on courageously until January 5, 2015.’’
Mr Jordan said of all his grandchildren, Joshua had shown the most interest in granddad’s passion for classic cars and motorcycles.
‘’He would often accompany me to events, and loved riding along in the (1974) Triumph, which I’ve had since new,’’ he said. ‘’So after his passing last year I thought it would be good to raise some money for research into this terrible disease.
‘’I hope that one day, through the many fundraising events that are held, little kids like my grandson won’t lose their lives to cancer.’’
In particular Mr Jordan would like to see more funds channelled into brain cancer research.
‘’It is a shocking statistic that brain cancer kills more children than any other disease in Australia,’’ he said.
‘’Yet very little is known about it – its causes or how to treat it – and it receives only a fraction of the funding for research that other illnesses do.’’
Mr Jordan said the first Joshua Bell Cure Cancer Run was held in May last year, raising $1600.
This year, classic cars and motorcycles will meet at the Dapto centre at 2pm, for afternoon tea and raffles.
Mr Jordan said there was no set route for the run to get there, though different routes were set out on the event website or Facebook page.
All funds raised, including the $10 vehicle entry fee, will go to the charity.
