IF Rod Everingham can save one child by cycling 1400 kilometres from Cameron Corner to Wauchope, he'll know he's made a difference.
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It's why he's riding from where the NSW, Queensland and South Australian borders meet next month as he raises funds for Bear Cottage and The Kids' Cancer Project.
The Everingham's experienced the heartbreak of losing a child after five-year-old grandson Patrick Coombes was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour seven years ago.
Six months after the original diagnosis, Pat was gone.
"This ride means the world to me," Mr Everingham said.
"I'm passionate about helping kids now; I'd give my life for a child if I had to because I've done my time.
"If I can help one little boy or girl survive that horrible thing called cancer - which I saw my grandson go through - I will have managed to save one family from going through what we did."
The 70-year-old admitted that was his purpose in life now - to try and help a family.
"If I can make enough money from donations to help save one poor child that's all I want to do," he said.
The peaceful nature of the outback ride would give Mr Everingham and his support crew plenty of time to reflect.
"I love the desert and the outback; it's absolute bliss out there because it's beautiful and there's nice peace and quiet," he said.
It will be his third long-distance ride after previously riding from Wauchope to Manila and then Manila to Wauchope in 2014 and 2015.
The support crew are well aware of the challenges they face with the Walcha mountain closed indefinitely, the ride looks certain to now incorporate Gloucester or Armidale.
"If that happens it'll add another couple of days to the ride," Mr Everingham said.
"On a mountain bike on the highway you don't go as quick as you do on a road bike, but so be it. What happens happens.
"My family has decided I shouldn't be doing this one but I begged to do it and it will be the last ride.
"When you're 70, you're never too old to ride a bike. Once you know how to, you'll never forget how."
For more information visit www.pedalforpat.com.au and to donate to the cause, CLICK HERE of they have set up a bank account - BSB 082-900, account number 83-252-7817.
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