BUNGAREE football export Danny Frawley has been riding his bike to promote cancer research in Ballarat for more than a decade now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Frawley remains passionate to make a difference.
Frawley returns as ambassador for next weekend’s Reach4Research Cycle Classic, this time teaming up with fellow AFL identity Michael Malthouse to put the mass-participation event in the public spotlight.
Businesses in town originally called on Frawley to get riding and he has loved being part of Ballarat’s strong, evolving cycling culture.
“I’ve been here since the get-go, bike riding in the Classic...Ballarat’s cancer research relies on community donations and yet, it’s one of the world leaders in the work they do,” Mr Frawley said.
“If I can ride a bit, a couple of laps around the lake, with some mates I will. Then, when you’ve finished, there’s all the stalls for families. It’s a great day.”
Frawley was St Kilda’s longest serving captains and went on to a coaching stint at Richmond, where Malthouse had earlier been a premiership player.
Malthouse’s coaching career spanned from Footscray to West Coast and Collingwood, where he became a premiership coach with both clubs, before finishing up at Carlton.
Together they hope to draw 3000 participants in the Classic, eclipsing the event’s average 2000 entries, with 100 per cent of registration fees going directly into the work at Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
Malthouse put the call out earlier this week to Ballarat politicians and councillors, including Labor federal health spokeswoman Catherine King, to lead by example and get riding, or walking.
Frawley will once again ride. Malthouse plans to walk with family, and possibly ride, in what will be his first classic.
For Malthouse, who grew up in Ballarat, the event is personal. His wife Nanette remains recovering from breast cancer while his close brother-in-law and two Richmond teammates died from cancer.
Cycle Classic will feature road rides taking in the national cycling Mount Buninyong climb, a family-friendly lake ride and mountain bike challenges.
The popular PetStock family lake walk and run will feature pets on parade and a dedicated pooch-friendly food van in the festival precinct.
For details, and to register visit reach4research.com.au.
RELATED COVERAGE
