Cyclist on a mission to raise MND awareness

When NSW-based school teacher Kim Evans wheeled up to Cemetery Beach last Thursday onlookers couldn’t possibly gauge how much the enormity of the occasion was weighing on the shoulders of the 56-year-old cyclist.

It was three years to the day since Mr Evans’ best mate and brother-in-law passed away following a five year struggle with Motor Neurone Disease.

The death of his friend Bob Delaney on August 1, 2010 was the catalyst for a 15,500km ride around Australia to raise money for MND research.

“In some ways it’s not about Bob, he is the person who is driving me to do it, but it’s about awareness for Motor Neurone Disease which is a very little understood disease,” he said.

“There is no cure, there is no treatment, it was first diagnosed in 1869, there are currently 1440 sufferers in Australia and every year 640 of them die.”

Mr Evans is cycling around Australia for five months as part of his Devil 'N' Me Around Ozee - Ride for No MND tour.

He was initially riding with his dog Devil alongside, but now relies solely on the support of fellow riders since Devil couldn’t handle the rigours of the ride.

Mr Evans and Mr Delaney had talked about cycling around Australia together before Mr Delaney was diagnosed with MND, and shortly before he died, Mr Evans promised he would still complete the journey to raise money and awareness of the disease.

“This was always Bob’s dream and I promised him I’d do it for him. I've got a little cross that I'm wearing with his ashes in it, so he is part of this with me,” Mr Evans said.

After starting the epic ride on May 31, Mr Evans is still pedalling strong as he heads down the WA coast in a bid to raise $1 million by the time he crosses the finish line.

Mr Evans and his support team were rapt with the generosity of staff at the Cooke Point Caravan Park who donated two nights accommodation for the cause.

For more information about Kim Evans’ Ride for No MND or to donate visit www.nomnd.com.au or go to the Facebook page at www.facebook.com.au/devilnme.