Tarneit teenager Aanchal Sharma is participating in the Great Cycle Challenge of Australia (GCCA) to raise funds for children fighting cancer.
The annual event asks participants to raise money for the Children’s Medical Research Institute, which is working on finding a cure for childhood cancer.
Aanchal, 16, said she was also taking part in the GCCA because of her grandfather K.D. Sharma, who died of lung cancer when she was younger.
“He also loved to donate money and I feel like it’s a special moment to reconnect with my beloved grandfather as I ride in memory of him,” she said.
Aanchal said she had set herself the goal of raising $500 for the GCCA but that she felt “delighted and elated” to have surpassed this, raising a total of $760.
Aanchal cycled 103 kilometres last month, receiving a Great Cycling Australia jersey for her efforts, and will also receive a medal.
“I love to fundraise and volunteer for charities, and I also participated in the National Mental Health Walk for October,” Aanchal said.
A student at Suzanne Cory High School, Aanchal has also helped to raise funds the for Leukaemia Foundation and the World Vision Australia’s 40 hour Famine within the college.
“I would highly encourage people to participate in fundraising events for many different causes – like the National Mental Health Walk, Walking Stars by Cancer Council Victoria, because we can all make a difference, and we should start together as a community of Wyndham,” she said.
To donate: greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/AanchalSharma
