Six runners, 250 kilometres and two and a half days on the road from Moranbah to Mackay. That was the challenge undertaken by the Trail to Triumph team from October 23 to 25, raising money for research into dust diseases that have affected families across the Bowen Basin.
The event began in 2014 as Tony’s Journey, following the death of Moranbah miner Tony Britton from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Tony and his son Mat both worked at BMA Goonyella Riverside.
Trail to Triumph’s Dan Cody said the event had grown well beyond its beginnings.
“Mat founded Trail to Triumph to honour his dad and to raise money and awareness, and what started as one family’s tribute has grown into an annual fixture for runners, miners, families and local businesses across the Bowen Basin and Mackay region.
“For a mining region, this cause sits close to home. Many of the team come from mining, and most of our runners have a personal link to someone who has suffered from a dust disease.”
An estimated 600,000 Australian workers are exposed to silica dust each year, with 250 developing lung cancer annually as a result of exposure. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing diseases including silicosis and lung cancer, with workers in mining, quarrying, construction and tunnelling among those at risk.
The team set a fundraising target of $80,000, with more than $10,000 raised before the run commenced. Every dollar goes directly to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI), a national not-for-profit dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and treating dust diseases. Dan explained what that support means in practice.
“In plain terms, ADDRI’s work comes down to three things. The first is catching these diseases earlier, using less invasive methods so treatment options can start sooner. The second is finding better treatments for mesothelioma and silicosis. The third is looking after people now: ADDRI’s specialist nurses give free, confidential support to anyone living with mesothelioma or silicosis, and to their families.”
The institute also runs the Silicosis Support Hub, offering information about silica dust exposure and a free online risk check.
“More than half of the people who used its free online risk check came back as high or very high risk. Around one in six were from mining and quarrying, and Central Queensland and the Whitsundays was one of the top ten regions using the site.”
A big shout-out goes to the businesses that helped keep the runners and support crew on the road. Alongside major sponsor Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, Aurizon Coppabella provided a pizza dinner and helped cover fuel costs, BMA Broadmeadow put on a breakfast BBQ and BMA Caval Ridge supplied lunch. Corry Cycles loaned support bikes, Centurion transported equipment, Sun Engineering provided storage and Blue River Ice supplied eskies and ice. Intelics also committed $1,000 a year for the next five years.
| Donations can still be made at: addri.org.au/donations/trail-to-triumph Information about future events can be found at: www.trailtotriumph.com.au |
