A 200 kilometre, two-day push bike journey might seem daunting to most, but there's not much Geurie local Bill Dewar wouldn't do for Chris O'Brien or his legacy, the Lifehouse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When he heard about the Sunsuper Ride to Conquer Cancer from Homebush to the Hawkesbury and back, he was quick to sign up for the October event.
Chris O'Brien, the famous RPA head surgeon who lost a three-year battle to an aggressive brain tumour in 2009, operated on Bill Dewar 10 years ago to remove a head tumor and Bill was struck by his kindness.
"He was just very approachable. He had a great bedside manner," he said.
"My partner Catherine was more upset than me. He talked to her and said with every operation there is a danger, a chance you won't come out."
"They have to say it, but it's how they say it that makes a difference."
Mr Dewar said he wanted to make sure cancer sufferers could easily access the help they needed, like he did 10 years ago, but it was also Chris O'Brien's inspiring story that made the fundraiser so important.
"I've probably read three books in my life and Chris O'Brien's story was one of them. He inspired people, both through his work as a cancer specialist and through his own three-year battle."
"I'd give my life for him to come back because his life would be worth more," he said.
"He was so good at saving lives but it took him."
Mr Dewar has always been a keen cyclist and now he is training for free with Brett Conn at Market Fitness in preparation.
"Years ago when I was a rev head and lost my licence, I would ride from Geurie to Dubbo for work," he said.
The habit stuck and today he can still ride to town in under an hour and 15 minutes.
Not one to approach people about fundraising, Mr Dewar decided the best course of action was to hold a party and tell everyone about it then.
"There are so many charities these days, but this one is very worthwhile," he said.
He will need to raise $2500 to take part in the ride and with more than 1000 people already signed up, $2.5 million will be going to the Lifehouse.
The fundraising event starts at 3pm this Saturday at the Geurie Racecourse, featuring Dubbo band Still Thinkin'.
Admission is $10 per person, free for children and there will be a charity auction with a six-burner barbecue, a 12-foot trampoline, Bathurst Ford and Holden memorabilia and a Black Caviar picture signed and framed.
There will be a bar available and dinner supplied.
For more information you can call Bill Dewar on 0412 470 393.
