Twenty-five years ago, Tony Peace didn’t know whether he was going to live or die.
He suffered a major health condition which resulted in significant surgery in Brisbane and follow-up surgery and treatment in Cairns.
“I really didn’t know whether I was going to make it, to be honest, it was a pretty intense time for me,” Mr Peace said.
That experience stayed with him, and his ongoing volunteering and fundraising is his way of saying thanks.
He has been participating in Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster since 2011 and in that time has raised more than $30,000. This year he is the top fundraiser so far.
“I just enjoy the ride, they’re a great bunch of guys with similar interests and the money stays local,” Mr Peace said.
Mr Peace also volunteers at other Foundation fundraising events such as Cairns Airport Adventure Festival, Christmas Wrap and Color Run.
Fundraising from this year’s Muster is going towards extra drill and saw kits at Cairns Hospital theatre department. Each kit costs $25,000 and so far $35,000 has been raised.
Foundation CEO Tony Franz, who also participates in the Muster, said stalwart participants and volunteers like Mr Peace, were simply invaluable.
“The volunteers are the heart and soul of what the Foundation achieves – working their shifts around the hospital, as well as at our fundraising events, we could not do, what we do without them,” Mr Franz said.
• Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster departs Cairns Hospital at 9am Saturday, August 5, heading to Mission Beach via the Atherton Tableland. Riders will return to Cairns on Sunday afternoon.
For further information, to donate or volunteer visit HERE.
