Tour de Cure targets $6 million

Mother of three Melinda Cockshutt and former West Kempsey Public School student Bennett Powell have been training since the start of the year, riding more than 4300km, in preparation for the 1100km event that will see them travel from Mackay to Cape Tribulation and back to Cairns in nine days.

Adding to the degree of difficulty is the fact Bennett has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability.

The pair will join Mark Baretta from television program Sunrise and 150 other cyclists from around the country, all of whom, had to raise $12,500 for cancer research, to secure a place at the starting line.

The unlikely duo’s association began when Bennett, who was looking to test himself, asked his carer if he could do a triathlon.

“I was looking for something different and a bit challenging to do,” he said.

His carer knew nothing about triathlons but she did know Melinda, who has been coaching the sport since leaving the legal profession 10 years ago when her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four.

Bennett has now completed two iron man events, and is determined to finish his latest challenge, which he was inspired to undertake when the epic endurance event passed through the Mid North Coast in 2016.

“My daughter, Alani, would have died if the cancer researchers weren’t doing such great work,” Melinda said.

“I think it’s one in every three people now that will get cancer in their lifetime, even though survival rates are improving.

“We were just living life and when Alani got diagnosed, life just stopped.

“Alani is well now.

“But nowadays, if there is something I want to do I just go out and do it.

“So when Bennett came to me and wanted to do something crazy, I said why not, let’s just do it.”

Melinda said she can’t believe they have managed to meet the fundraising target of $12,500 each.

“I’ve just been blown away,” she said.

“We’ve held raffles, a black tie ball, and received donations from the community, it’s just amazing.

“Coastline has been unbelievable.”

Coastline Credit Union member services adviser Lachy Townsend said the organisation was proud to be involved in such a great cause.

“As a community-based credit union, we love giving back to the community.,” he said.