Tour de Heart
Tour de Heart 2010 - WACA to SACA
Manou Quintet conquers the Nullarbor
After departing the WACA Ground in Perth on May 9 and cycling across the Nullarbor, Redback Graham Manou and his determined team of riders have completed the gruelling 2010 Tour de Heart.
The quintet of Graham and good mates, Andrew Eime, Steve Busbridge, Andy Delmont and Sam Baida have battled a mice plague, torrential rain, strong head winds and long monotonous stretches of road to conquer the 2,700 km journey for the children of South Australia.
The team have cycled, without vehicle support, up to 170 kilometres per day, mostly camping on the side of the road in or near small towns to recoup each night.
The Tour de Heart, a Graham Manou Foundation annual event, has this year raised money to help children with serious heart conditions and their families through HeartKids SA.
Graham said it was by far his proudest Tour de Heart.
“The past three weeks have been extremely challenging and there were times when we wondered whether we had bitten off more than we could chew– but never once did we consider giving up. I’m enormously proud of my team – those riding with me and those back in Adelaide helping us make this happen,” he said.
“This ride is all about raising funds for South Australian children needing life-giving heart surgery and their families, and we thank each and every person who has so generously donated.”
HeartKids SA supports children with congenital or acquired heart disease and their families. Graham has chosen HeartKids so that he can help with the huge financial burden placed on families to access their child’s life-saving medical treatment.
Further information about the Graham Manou Foundation and the 2010 Tour de Heart can be found at www.grahammanoufoundation.com.au.
Tour de Heart
Graham and four mates will embark on their cross-Nullarbor 2010 Tour de Heart in May when they ride from the WACA Ground in Perth to the Adelaide Oval – a staggering 2,700 kilometres.
The team will leave Perth on May 9 and plan to arrive into Adelaide on May 29.
This year, Graham has chosen children’s charity HeartKids SA as beneficiary of the funds he raises from the 2010 ride.
HeartKids SA supports children with congenital or acquired heart disease and their families. Graham has chosen HeartKids so that he can help with the huge financial burden placed on families to access their child’s life-saving medical treatment.
The 2010 Tour de Heart is the third ride in four years by Graham, who each ride has been joined by good mate and cycling enthusiast Andrew Eime. In 2008, the pair rode from Mount Kosciusko to Lake Eyre and in the inaugural ride in 2007 conquered Alice Springs to Adelaide. Both previous rides saw Graham raise significant funds for cardiac research.