Lara’s Chris Rhodes’ cancer fundraising drive hindered by Facebook ban

A Lara grandad who battled cancer is raising money for kids with the disease. But he was shocked when his efforts were hindered after he copped a social media ban. Here’s why.

Chris Rhodes is raising money for kids with cancer by riding 1000km this month. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Lara grandad who battled cancer is raising money for kids with the disease by cycling 1000km this month.

But his fundraising efforts were hindered when he posted a photo of a child in a nappy and got banned from Facebook.

Chris Rhodes said it was an “absolute shock” when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007.

The father of three and grandfather of six then had surgery to improve his prostate and has since undergone three rounds of radiation.

Four years ago, in an effort to improve his fitness, the former football umpire decided to ride his bike to raise money for kids undergoing cancer treatment.

“I couldn’t run anymore because I have chronic leg injuries but I’m a pretty fit guy,” he said.

“I came across the Great Cycle Challenge and I looked at the kids (with cancer) and I said to my wife that I have to raise money for them.”

Mr Rhodes had a goal to ride 1000km in October and is on track to complete the feat.

“My philosophy is to do something significant and that you wouldn’t normally do so you can legitimately ask people to sponsor you and the cause,” he said.

He had been posting his rides on Facebook community pages to encourage locals to donate to the cause.

On Sunday, Mr Rhodes posted his 52km ride along with a photo of a young girl in a nappy in hospital who was battling cancer.

But when he went to post on Monday, he realised he had been banned from multiple pages.

The post Mr Rhodes shared to Facebook. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I was only able to post on my own profile and not in any groups,” Mr Rhodes said.

“I wasn’t able to like or comment on any posts (in the groups).”

Mr Rhodes said he wrongly assumed the individual groups had banned him but he later realised this was not the case.

He said the ban was lifted late on Monday night.

“I was very relieved,” he said.

Meta, which owns Facebook, did not respond to requests for comment.

Mr Rhodes is riding about 50km per day to reach his goal.

This is the third time he has completed the cycling challenge to raise money for kids battling cancer.

“I did 800km two years ago and I nearly died, not literally though, but I was exhausted for a month after,” he said.

He said 1000km was “way beyond” anything he had ever done before.

Mr Rhodes said doctors were continuing to monitor his cancer.

You can donate to Mr Rhodes’ fundraiser at greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/chrisrhodes.

Originally published as Lara’s Chris Rhodes’ cancer fundraising drive hindered by Facebook ban