Michael Bowden was diagnosed with MND one year ago. On Monday, the 72-year-old will complete his 11th Big Bike Ride — a 122km journey from Mandorah all the way back to O’Loughlin in Karama.
‘It mustn’t stop you from living’: School rides to defeat MNDSteve Vivian
PerthNow
15 June 2019THE inspirational vision of one man has connected a whole community to fight the debilitating condition known as ‘The Beast’: motor neurone disease (MND).
Michael Bowden, who founded O’Loughlin Catholic College’s ‘The Big Bike Ride’ in 2009, which has raised money for breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and many other critical causes, is this year at the heart of the school’s campaign to fight MND.
Michael was diagnosed with MND one year ago. On Monday, the 72-year-old will complete his 11th Big Bike Ride — a 122km journey from Mandorah all the way back to O’Loughlin in Karama.
“Every year has been a major achievement for every kid who has ridden and their families,” Michael told the NT News.
“They face the challenge and grow, and year after year they see the important role they can play in the wider community.”
Chloe Carter, a year 7 student at O’Loughlin, said the ride would be ”extremely special”.
“Because we are helping to fight MND and we get the privilege to do this for others who can’t,” she said.
Joining Michael on the front line of the fight will be Nick Lias, 46, who was recently diagnosed with MND.
“Nick is facing a really big struggle,” Michael said. “We have built a friendship through MND, and together have become mates.”
Michael’s son, and O’Loughlin principal, Rhett Bowden said the school had welcomed Lias, and the wider Greek community, into the fight against MND with open arms.
“We’ve seen Nick grow stronger and seen the spring in the step it’s given his family and community, and that they’ve given us,” he said.
Rhett said there had been an “amazing response (to fundraising efforts) already”.
“It’s something that’s really close to the heart of the community,” he said. “To not only support dad now, but all those who have MND because we know it’s such an important cause.”
For O’Loughlin students, the fight against MND begins at 6.45am Monday morning at the Mandorah jetty. For Michael, the tough-as-nails Richmond Tigers premiership ruck-rover, the fight of his life is just beginning.
“I was diagnosed exactly 12 months ago. I didn’t I know whether I’d be alive today,” he said.
“MND is a life sentence. But it mustn’t stop you from living.
“Don’t go to bed, don’t lie down — get out, and live the best way you can, for as long as you can.”
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