At 71 years of age and nine years after his own cancer diagnosis, keen cyclist Peter Blyth recently completed his latest cycling challenge, riding 1,600km to raise funds for the stroke ward at the San.
His initial fundraising target was $4,000 but at last count he had raised $6,790. “The stroke ward at the San needed communication boards and special cutlery and plates to help people recovering from stroke,” said Peter. It was a fundraising project close to Peter’s heart, as his mum died of a stroke three years ago, and Peter himself suffered a mini-stroke two years ago.
“I sometimes think about people in hospital while I’m out riding. If the ride is a bit tough or my legs feel heavy that day, I think I’m very lucky to be in the beautiful outdoors riding my bike,” Peter added.
His latest cycling challenge is the fifth fundraising project Peter has done for the San Foundation, cycling more than 12,000km in the process. While that distance is impressive, Peter has also encountered his fair share of hills while doing his cycling challenges: he has cycled 100,000 vertical metres of hill-climbing, which is equivalent to climbing Mt Everest 11.3 times.
Peter has raised more than $26,000 in donations towards much-needed equipment and services at the San, including recliner chairs for the Poon ward; an exercise bike for the Jacaranda Lodge gymnasium; and funding towards an oncology massage therapist to support cancer services.
“I’ve been a patient in the San, and I know the work the nurses, support staff and doctors do, so it’s good to be able to give back,” said Peter. “I don’t do this for recognition; there’s a group of people who regularly donate to the fundraising challenges I’ve done, and they are the real heroes.”
And the bonus payoff after all that strenuous cycling? “I’m a sweet tooth, so I can have a piece of cake occasionally.”
