Nat Bromhead
The Noosa Classic, Bicycling Australia’s inaugural cycling event for Queensland, is thrilled to be partnering with the State’s much-loved and highly-respected charity group, Smiling For Smiddy.
About Smiling For Smiddy
Adam Smiddy never had an enemy in the world. His disarming smile, one that rarely left his face even amid the gravest of circumstances, gave his family and friends a window into the soul of a gentle, kind-hearted and unassuming boy from Home Hill.
In 2006, Adam passed away from an aggressive melanoma. He was just 26 years old, a talented triathlete and respected physiotherapist with the world at his feet.
Six months earlier, Adam had discovered a small lump in his groin, and a biopsy revealed it was a malignant melanoma. He had immediate surgery to remove the lump and his lymph glands.
Gradually over a six month period, Adam’s health and fitness started to return. Sadly however, it was not to be.
During a bike ride with his close friend and triathlon coach, Mark ‘Sharky’ Smoothy, Adam confessed he was not feeling well. Just over three weeks later, Adam passed away.
1600km From Brisbane To Home Hill
To honour Adam, in that same year Sharky and two other mates Ron Steel and Oliver Bodak, fulfilled one of Adam’s unrealised dreams.
They rode 1600 km from Brisbane to Adam’s hometown Home Hill, nothing but a credit card in their back pockets, and raised $24,000 for cancer research in the process.
The next year 22 friends joined the ride.
In 2008 there were 50 riders, who together raised an incredible $420,000 for cancer research.
Over the past ten years supporters have raised over $7 million for cancer research at Mater. That’s an incredible effort, but there is still so much more to be done.
To register for the Noosa Clasic visit www.noosaclassic.com.au and for more on Smiling For Smiddy see www.smiddy.org.au
