Tour de Gracetown organisers gearing up to raise funds for River Angels and Lung Foundation Australia

South West cyclists are being encouraged to put their helmets on and tackle in this year’s Tour de Gracetown. The annual fundraising event will return to the Margaret River region on October 12, raising funds for River Angels and Lung Foundation Australia. The tour has been going for 19 years, originating with founder John Sofield who began the event cycling with his friends from his Gracetown beach house. “We started off with six of us — six dads — and one of the dad’s daughter was very sick, so we started to raise funds for the Starlight Foundation,” he said. “He was the trigger for raising money, and over the years, we’ve raised money for various charities which have been cancer related.” Some of the causes the tour has supported include the Starlight Foundation, the family of 2010 Gracetown shark attack victim Nick Edwards and Margaret River Hospital by helping it with purchase much-needed equipment. The two charities set to benefit from this year’s event are River Angels and Lung Foundation Australia. Started in 2011 by Lynda Donovan, River Angels helps people living with cancer in the Capes and their families with emotional, physical and financial support. Lung Foundation Australia is a national charity which funds research and support programs for those living with lung disease or lung cancer. Mr Sofield said the latter charity was chosen due to event ambassador and former Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh’s connection to the cause. “(His wife) Bec Marsh, she lost her mother to lung cancer not related to smoking. It really hit a bit of nerve to be honest,” he said. “The River Angels are just awesome and what they do in Margaret River and the South West, it is a privilege to be able to raise money for them.” Mr Marsh is not the only familiar face who will be putting the pedal to the medal for the event, with West Coast Eagles star Elliot Yeo also set to take part in this year’s ride. This year’s tour will consist of a 75km and 100km-long ride starting and finishing at Wilyabrup’s Fraser Gallop Estate, with Mr Sofield encouraging both beginner and serious riders to give it a go. “We try to stick a simple formula - we ride through the South West, we raise money for cancer and we have a good time,” he said. Entry is $100 excluding booking fees, with more information at tourdegracetown.com.au.