Racing in memory of Mum LocalBriefs

l MAREEBA

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE Mitchell family of Mareeba lost their mother Wendy to pancreatic cancer in late January.

Now they are competing in the annual Wheelbarrow Race to raise funds for cancer patients in her honour.

Wendy Mitchell lost her life to terminal pancreatic cancer 12 years to the day after her first battle with cancer.

Determined to turn their pain into something fruitful, the family is raising funds for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Care Hub.

The family set up a fundraising page through the foundation’s website that has raised over $8000 so far and will race at Mareeba’s 140km Great Wheelbarrow Race from May 12 to 14 to raise more funds.

Ms Mitchell’s daughter Nadine Cockrem said the family was proud to support others in overcoming the most challenging times.

“Twelve years ago, mum had throat cancer; mum and dad actually had to travel to Townsville to get treatment since Cairns didn’t have a cancer ward, and it really put a strain on our family,” Ms Cockrem said.

“When mum had cancer this time, we only found three weeks prior that she had pancreatic cancer, and her decline in health was too fast.

“We came to the Cancer Care Hub in Cairns, and the care that mum received was outstanding; it made a terrible situation more bearable.

“After mum’s passing, we phoned the hospital, and we wanted to do the Wheelbarrow Race in her honour and to raise funds specifically for the Cancer Care Hub to help other families.

“We’re proud that we can raise money to help support other families that are experiencing cancer now or could experience it in the future.”

Dean Mitchell, Ms Mitchell’s husband, has raced the iconic Mareeba

Wheelbarrow Race eight times before. This time he’ll be running with his two sons, Brent and Dwayne, with a different purpose.

“I’ve done the race eight times and keep coming back,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Originally, we ran as a team called the Junction Jokers, which inspired the name for this team, Wendy’s Joker Joes.

“We aim to raise as much money as possible; we’re not really interested in times; we’re just going to go out there and have some fun. Ms Cockrem said it was comforting to know they were doing something their mother would feel proud of. The Mitchell’s fundraiser could result in increased services and improved facilities for the foundation’s Cancer Care Hub. To help go to http://bit.ly/3T4o5Gg l EASY CAR PARKING APP l NEW REGIONAL CHIEF

MOTORISTS can now pay for the exact number of minutes they park in the CBD, straight from their phone. The EasyPark app will now be available for on-street parking throughout the city centre. Mayor Bob Manning said drivers using EasyPark started and ended their parking session on their phone, creating an exact payment, rather than guessing how long they might need and paying extra if they finish their lunch, shopping or business sooner than expected.

ECONOMIC and social development researcher Professor Hurriyet Babacan has been appointed chairwoman of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North until June 30, 2025. Professor Babacan is a professor at James Cook University and at the University of Queensland’s Rural Economies Centre of Excellence. She also serves as vice-chairwoman of the Cape York Natural Resource Management Board.

l MEN’S SHED SALE

CAIRNS Men’s Shed is holding a Garage and Car Boot Sale at 186 Irene St, Mooroobool, (next to the football grounds) on Saturday, March 18 at 8am to raise funds for the various projects the members undertake in the community.