SAPOL chief inspector Wade Burns treks 2700km to a triathlon to raise funds for breast cancer research
AS if completing an Ironman Australia event wasn’t enough, SAPOL chief inspector Wade Burns plans to take things up a notch — and it’s all for a good cause.
WADE Burns is no stranger to the pain that comes with completing an Ironman triathlon race.
But he knows the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run can’t compare to the suffering of those diagnosed with cancer.
That’s why the endurance race veteran, a SAPOL chief inspector, is dedicating his next gruelling challenges to raising funds for cancer research — a cause close to his heart.
Not only are Mr Burns, 38, and fellow triathlon enthusiast, Andrew Attwell-Gill, competing in the Ironman Australia Port Macquarie race on May 7, the duo is also taking things up a notch by cycling from Adelaide to the event in New South Wales.
It’s a 15-day journey they have called The Ride 2K17, comprising more than 2700km and 23,000m of climbing.
Mr Burns, whose ride starts on Friday, said his inspiration was his mother-in-law Necia
Simmons, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
“This ride is in honour of her fighting the disease and all the other women out there fighting the same battle,” he said, adding that their ride was “not the most traditional Ironman preparation”.
“When I arrive in Port Macquarie I will need to mentally prepare for an Ironman two days later ... some people might even say it is madness.”
Mrs Simmons, 58, whose treatment for breast cancer is ongoing, said her son-in-law’s fundraising efforts had left her lost for words.
“I’ve been one of the lucky ones — it was caught very early — but there are others who aren’t so lucky,” she said, adding that money raised would go to help diagnosis and treatment research.
“It is for a great cause.”
Mr Burns and Mr Attwell-Gill, who plan to take part in other Ironman events this year, hope to raise $50,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Pancare Foundation by December 31. To donate, visit the-ride.everydayhero.com/au/wade