Latest news with #McGrathFoundation
BBC News
31-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Throat cancer survivor ends Aussie Outback challenge early
A throat cancer survivor has been forced to abandon a 4,000-mile motorbike ride across Australia due to fears about his rally driver Steve "Sport" Griffiths, from Quarry Bank in Dudley, had to end his coast-to-coast challenge early, after a support vehicle riding alongside him broke down, meaning he couldn't 56-year-old, who set out in early July to raise money for charity and rode for 14 days, told the BBC he was "disappointed but relieved" to have ended the Griffiths had to postpone an earlier attempt at the challenge after discovering he had oropharyngeal cancer in 2023, to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The 56-year-old said: "It's disappointing but it was the right decision. The media support vehicle that was with me suffered broken axles and it was essential it was alongside my ride."I was feeling fine but the other riders were able to go faster and I couldn't keep that pace so I didn't want to spoil it for everyone."Mr Griffiths endured extreme temperatures along dusty roads, with blistering daytime temperatures but having to scrape ice off his visor at team reached speeds of believes he has raised almost £30,000 for Cancer Research UK and the McGrath Foundation with the challenge. Mr Griffiths had a fall near the start of his adventure but was able to continue, taking on water from pouches strapped to his setting out, Steve was concerned that as his cancer treatment had damaged his salivary glands, taking in fluids might have been too difficult to complete the he managed to cross Australia, from Brisbane to Perth, before being forced to abandon on the return leg - an estimated 2,500km or five days from the finish point. Undeterred, Mr Griffiths now plans to take on a new challenge, custom building a Metro 6R4 and driving it between John O'Groats and Land's End to continue fundraising."I'd love to take in some race tracks, doing a lap at Donington and Silverstone if I can along the way," he said."The Australia challenge has not beaten me. I did the right thing to attempt it and it's given me such a boost. I'm raring to go again." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Former cricketer Manpreet Singh aims to work with Punjab govt to uplift sports in state
For former cricketer Manpreet Singh, home is where the heart is. Earlier residing in Sydney, Australia, the 36-year-old, also known as Manu Singh, has been living in Chandigarh since 2019, in a bid to uplift Punjab by organising de-addiction camps, sponsoring youth sports academies and performing philanthropy-powered activities in the state. Not only he is involved with Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation, who have pledged to popularise the sport of polo in Punjab and also conduct de-addiction camps for the youth, but he is also in talks with the Punjab government for opening up cricket academies in the state in order to hunt talent. Manpreet met Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and introduced former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke to the CM in this regard. Former cricketers from Australia and West Indies, Matthew Hayden and Chris Gayle, respectively, are also set to meet the Punjab CM in coming days to show their interest in training young cricketers in Punjab. 'Punjab CM is very keen to promote sports in the state. The government wishes to run cricket academies where former international cricketers can train the youth. Clarke has shown his interest in this. Chris Gayle and Hayden are also keen. The Punjab government should rope in such cricketers,' said Manpreet. Also driving polo promotion Representing Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation, Manpreet has tied up with various people from across India who will facilitate in breeding horses for polo. 'In order to promote polo in Punjab, we need a high breed of horses. For that, breeding the horses here is very important. We are making sure this is done professionally well and the youth can get the horses for training,' he added. Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation organised an exhibition match between Chandigarh polo team and Sri Anandpur Sahib polo team last month on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. Manpreet used insights from Sodhi Vikram Singh, an international polo player and also his uncle, who has competed in several international polo events in the past. 'Punjab has a rich legacy in sports. But we see neighbouring states doing better in sports. The present Punjab government is paying attention to sports and wants Punjab to excel in this field in coming years. I have pledged some years to contribute and work for my home state before I move back to Australia,' said Manpreet, who moved to Sydney in 2009 in pursuit of better future and opportunities, but ended up doing social work after completing a course in disability support and got attached with former Australian cricketers Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh while working for their respective charities, McGrath Foundation and Steve Waugh Foundation. Former Indian legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh also praised Manpreet's efforts: 'We are together in this effort. Manpreet is doing good work for Punjab. I will help him in every way. Be it giving cricket tips to children or administrative work, I am with him in this effort and the Punjab government will also cooperate in this.' Harbhajan is also Punjab Cricket Association mentor and member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, representing AAP.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer survivor to motorbike across Australia in ‘epic' challenge
AN off-road motorcyclist is preparing for an 'epic' challenge after beating cancer that will see him trek down under for an important cause. Stephen (Steve) Griffiths is part of a group of experienced motorcyclists who are joining forces to ride from the Westernmost point to the Easternmost point of Australia to beat cancer. The team, known as Kicking Cancers A** Across Australia, will be riding across the land down under for around 24 days, sleeping in tents and documenting the challenge on YouTube, raising funds for the McGrath Foundation which funds specialist breast cancer nursing services in an area of great need - remote areas of Australia. Mr Griffiths accepted the challenge in 2023, however, contracted throat cancer not long after signing up. The keen motorcyclist, from Stourbridge, has now fully recovered and remained unwaveringly determined to make it to Australia throughout his treatment. Mr Griffiths said: 'Awareness is the key part of cancer treatment …knowing the signs and not to be scared to go see a doctor for a check-up. 'I wasn't a smoker, but I contracted throat cancer - I'm so glad I went to see my doctor. 'I was lucky as mine was caught early and now I'm clear, with regular check-ups for the next 5 yrs. 'This is going to be a massive challenge for me after my treatment. I'll be riding with a weakened immune system and no saliva, so the desert is going to be really tricky!. 'I had to learn how to swallow again and have to drink a pint of water with all food, hence this being a huge personal challenge on top of an already tough challenge, but it's all worth it. 'I hope between us we can make a difference in how people view cancer, hoping we can save lives with quicker self-diagnosis of a problem that needs to be seen by a doctor, no matter how small.' Mr Griffiths is set to head to Australia in July, where he will depart from Steep Point and begin his journey to Cape Byron. As well as documenting the journey on YouTube themselves, the group will also be featured by Australia's Channel 9 News along the way. Mr Griffiths will be splitting his own fundraising efforts between the McGrath Foundation and the ENT department at New Cross and Russells Hall hospitals, both of which supported him through his cancer treatment. Before he jets off, Mr Griffiths visited the Mayor of Dudley, who let him know the whole borough is behind him. Cllr Hilary Bills, the Mayor of Dudley, said: 'Steve knows first-hand just how important it is to be aware of the signs of cancer and of getting things checked out as soon as possible. 'This is a huge personal challenge for Steve, having to manage the side effects of his treatment in the gruelling heat of the Australian outback. 'He tells me that it's not been done before by someone with his health condition, so he'll be flying the flag for us in Oz. 'I wish the team all the best on their adventure and hope they raise lots of money for the foundation.'
