Alex Hills resident Selena Hawkings is jumping in the saddle to ride 200km in the Ride to Conquer Cancer this month. Photo by Bayside Bulletin
ALEXANDRA Hills resident Selena Hawkings is in training for the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer.
The ride is a 237km round journey from St Lucia to Wivenhoe Dam, which this year will be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19.
The event aims to raise awareness of, and funds for, cancer research at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, and Selena said she was looking forward to helping the cause.
"I thought going on the ride would be a great achievement," she said.
"My grandmother died from cancer about three years ago, and my father-in-law has cancer.
"When I learnt that one in two Australians are affected by cancer during their life, I decided that if I could do my part to help, I would."
The mother-of-two said she had not ridden a bike since she was 15 years old, but threw herself into training for the ride about three months ago.
"The biggest hurdle for me was integrating with the traffic that was the scariest part," she said.
"I started training on bike tracks about three months ago, but I ride on the road now and I try to ride 20km every day."
Selena said she hoped to raise at least $2500 for the cause.
To support Selena's fundraising, visit the event website at www.conquercancer.org.au, select ''Donate'' from the menu, and search for Selena Hawkings.