CanTeen ride marks its 20th anniversary

Life Cycle for CanTeen will celebrate its 20th anniversary during the annual on-road event riding from Bassendean to Busselton on March 9-11.

The fundraising event for the organisation, which supports teens with cancer, began in 1998 when Nicole Aramini convinced her friends at Kalamunda Senior High School to join her in riding from Perth to Bunbury.

Last year the on-road cycle event raised $171,919 and since 1998 the team has raised $1.7 million for CanTeen.

Staff, volunteers and members of CanTeen who ride in the contingent inspired Busselton duo Caresse Mitchell and Raelene Bennet to take part regularly.

It is Mrs Mitchell’s 10th ride for Life Cycle.

She said it was the people involved who made her want to do it every year.

“I didn’t have a bike when I did it the first year, I was so unprepared, but now these people are all my friends,” she said.

“We hear the stories from these poor little kids — we do it to help them because we are so lucky.”

The fully supported ride, with escort vehicles and five separate speed groups, will conclude at Churchill Park when the first cyclists arrive about 12.30pm.

Mrs Bennet said she was participating in her third Life Cycle as a way of contributing to cancer research.

“These kids are suffering and they’re so vulnerable, they deserve our help,” she said.

Life Cycle is supported by the Lions Club, members of which greet the riders at the finish.