More than 110 riders raise $30,000 for River Angels and Lung Foundation Australia in 2024 Tour de Gracetown

A ride with a difference has wrapped up in the Margaret River region, raising funds for two worthy causes. More than 110 cyclists headed off from Fraser Gallop Estate in Wilyabrup on Saturday for this year’s Tour de Gracetown, with the beautiful South West scenery not the only reason for the ride. This year’s event raised $30,000, which has been split between Margaret River-based cancer support charity River Angels and Lung Foundation Australia. Event founder John Sofield said this year’s tour was a great success, but said it was personally challenging. “I lost my youngest brother Paul Sofield to cancer only eight weeks ago,” he said. “I was determined that the Tour de Gracetown would be successful and raise a lot of money for both cancer charities.” Riders were able to choose between a 75km and 100km-long ride for this year’s tour, with each taking in the sights of Wilyabrup, Yallingup, Yallingup Sliding and Quedjinup. Mr Sofield said the courses were tough. “Both distances Parterre75 and Palladian100 tested riders’ abilities to concentrate and complete the full distance,” he said. “As they say ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. We had all abilities participate and they all finished safely and felt a sense of accomplishment.” One of Mr Sofield’s highlights from the event was seeing the faces of riders after finishing the event, knowing they had made a difference with their efforts. “We are a grassroots community-based event, and it was a buzz to handover $25,000 to River Angels and $5000 to the Lung Foundation,” Mr Sofield. “Cancer knows no boundaries and we all played a part in making a difference.” It is the 19th year the event has been held in the Margaret River region, beginning in 2005 when Mr Sofield began cycling with his friends from his Gracetown beach house.