Cyclist Luke Azzopardi’s grandmother AnneMarie Helmke to walk the Cairns to Cooktown Cardiac Challenge in September

A 75-year-old Cairns woman will carry on efforts of her late grandson and walk 168km for the Cardiac Challenge. Here’s how you can support her.

IT’S been 18 months since the tragic loss of Luke Azzopardi, who epitomised the title of champion.

Notably, he was a champion of good causes, including as a repeat participant in Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s Cardiac Challenge, which returns on September 17.

This year, 230 cyclists will pedal from Cairns to Cooktown to help the foundation reach its fundraising goal of $550,000.

Two of Luke’s family members will be among those participating including his 75-year-old grandmother, AnneMarie Helmke, who will walk the distance.

“I’m doing it to support my grandson’s spirit; he was quite an outgoing and caring person,” said Ms Helmke.

“He encouraged people to do things and he’d encourage me right now.”

AnneMarie, an experienced walker, is confident she will complete the challenge without worry and has insisted her family pay her no special attention.

“She wants it to be a challenge for herself and to do it independently,” said her daughter, Sue Helmke, who is also participating.

“If Luke’s taught us anything, you’ve just got to go out and embrace the things you’re passionate about. It never occurred to any of us to put a doubt in [mum’s] mind.

Sue said: it was the Cardiac Challenge that first inspired Luke’s charitable spirit when he was 10 years old.

“It fostered that community spirit in him. The FNQ Hospital Foundation does such a good job for the community,” she said.

Donations to the challenge can be made at the hospital foundation’s website.

Originally published as Cyclist Luke Azzopardi’s grandmother AnneMarie Helmke to walk the Cairns to Cooktown Cardiac Challenge in September