Sanjay Ranchhod and his son Hugo on the bike as part of Sanjay’s fundraising efforts for the Great Cycle Challenge.
Sanjay Ranchhod rides for his dad because he can’t.
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But with his dad’s memory joining him every time he sets off on the Great Cycle Challenge, Sanjay knows he is helping those with cancer, or who will be diagnosed with it in the future.
His father Ishu died of prostate cancer in 2021, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, Sanjay could not get back to India in time to say goodbye.
Since then, his tribute to the father he lost involves a lot of sweat and hard work, as he covers thousands of kilometres raising money for cancer research.
Sanjay started cycling in Melbourne during the lockdowns, which was when he first took part in the Great Cycle Challenge — something positive to strongly focus on for his own health.
“It allows me to be a part of something much bigger and really make a change,” he said.
And now for the fifth year in a row, Sanjay is taking part in the fundraiser on October 16 to 17 to fight against childhood cancer.
“Ever since my dad passed from prostate cancer, I've always felt connected to ways I can help raise funds for this awful disease, and especially for the kids,” he said.
“It also gives me something positive to strongly focus on for my own health and, in turn, it allows me to be a part of something much bigger and really make a change.”
What started as one man riding alone has blossomed over five years into a community-wide effort, drawing in family, friends, clinic clients and neighbours from across Rochester.
“My partner’s dad, local cyclist Michael ‘Mick’ Sinclair, joined in. We formed a team, increased our kilometres and fundraising efforts,” Sanjay said.
Sanjay Ranchhod and Mick Sinclair take to their bikes in support of the Great Cycle Challenge, which raises funds for childhood cancer research.
The challenge has now grown well beyond the family circle, with SR Health throwing open its doors for a 24-hour community fundraising ride.
The ride will run from 9am with participants taking turns on the clinic’s indoor spin bikes, recumbent bikes and virtual cycling equipment.
Community members of all fitness levels are welcome to sign up for one or more 30-minute shifts, with the goal of keeping the wheels turning for the full 24 hours.
“We wanted to do something to challenge ourselves, get the community involved and, most importantly, raise funds for the kids,” Sanjay said.
Sanjay knows first-hand cancer reaches far beyond the person diagnosed — it touches entire families, who carry the weight of watching someone they love go through it.
“As a parent to little Hugo, and our second bub coming in February, it really hits home that no-one should be faced with this disease, especially kids,” he said.
“If we make a difference in the slightest way and put a smile on these kids’ faces, then we’ve done enough.”
Sanjay is encouraging people to support the clinic’s Great Cycle Challenge team, SR Health, through donations and fundraising efforts throughout October.
Anyone keen to get involved in the 24-hour ride is encouraged to pop into SR Health in Rochester to find out more and sign up, or give the team a ring on 0488 530 073.
With a 1000km target ahead and a full day of community cycling planned, Sanjay hopes to turn the enthusiasm into vital funds for children and families affected by cancer.
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