When Brownsville newsagent Brian Woods' wife Jane was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer mid last year the cycling veteran of 24 Sydney-to-Gong bike rides took time out from his recreational passion to support her as much as he could.
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It was during the many hospital visits he made that the avid cyclist realised just how many people are touched by cancer in the community, including children.
With everything going on in his personal life Mr Woods is still thinking of others and decided to get back on his bike at home to do some virtual cycling to raise as much money as he could for Camp Quality by participating in the Big Ride for Little Kids.
On Wednesday he completed his 250km target and decided to keep going to raise more for kids with cancer.
"When Big Ride for Little Kids came up I thought it was a chance to give something back after the incredible support we got from the Southern Cancer Unit, Wollongong Hospital, specialists and professors.
I thought it was a chance to give something back
- Brian Woods
"When your family is impacted by cancer and you walk through wards and see every bed is being utilised and one person after another is going into the facility for radiation therapy you start to realise how widespread cancer is.
"When I saw so many kids getting treatment I thought about how they haven't even started to live yet. I thought about what they and their parents are going through and thought it must be horrendous. I thought if Big Ride for Little Kids can help in any way I should get on board and do it. I decided to do a virtual ride because of our circumstances at home.
"I haven't ridden a bike since June last year. I have been looking after my wife and the bike hasn't moved. I picked 250km over two weeks and did the last 32 km with five days to spare. I also set myself a goal of $500 and have now raised more than $1300."
Mr Woods' new goal is $2000.
"f we can do something we love doing and it helps others why not give it a real good crack. This is the first ride I have done for cancer and I will definitely be doing it again."
Mr Woods said people could donate by finding Big Ride for Little Kids on the web.
"Anything over $2 is tax deductable," he said.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
