Hart rides for the kids

RIDING for the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) was an easy decision for local cyclist Michael Hart.

Mr Hart recently completed a six-day, 808-kilometre ride from Newcastle, NSW, to Brisbane, Queensland, as part of the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation bike ride. The ride was to raise money for six organisations, which included PCH. It raised $65,000.

Mr Hart and his wife Rhonda said the hospital has helped members of their family, which was the reason for his involvement.

Their son, Zac, died in 2013 after battling a brain tumour. He received medical treatment at PCH.

“They helped us when we were in need, and now it is time to help others who are in the same situation,” he said.

Mrs Hart said the hospital also treated her nephew who suffers cerebral palsy, her niece who had open heart surgery and Mr Hart’s brother, Rodney, who was fitted with prosthetic eyes.

Mrs Hart also worked at the hospital when it was known as Princess Margaret Hospital.

She worked in the neonatal department and trained as a midwife.

Mr Hart said he was among six riders who rode as a group during the six-day marathon.

“We rode an average of 120-180 kilometres each day. We would set a certain pace and just ride,” he said.

Mr Hart - who is also an avid mountain biker - completed the fundraiser in 2018 and 2020 when the group rode from Torquay to Adelaide. He said it took a lot of training and preparation.