Penny-farthing raises ante

Sydney
7 July 2002

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Penny-farthing raises ante

By Kathleen Carmody

John McDermott of St Bernadette’s parish in Castle Hill has embarked on an extraordinary journey – riding a penny-farthing bicycle 2900km from Uluru to Sydney to raise money for MS research.

MS – multiple sclerosis – is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure.

John was inspired to raise awareness of MS when he met Andrew Bunt, 33, who has had progressive MS since the age of 19, is confined to a wheelchair and requires 24-hour home care.

“There’s no cure, they don’t know the cause so that’s why I’m trying to raise money,” John says. “I’ve done a few cycling trips and I thought by riding a penny-farthing I could raise some interest in the public and the press and raise some money.”

The fact that it’s a lot harder than riding a normal bike may drive home the difficulties people have with MS.

“It’s not hard at all compared with what (Andrew) has to live through on a daily basis,” he said.

John is an experienced cyclist with an eye for a good cause.

Last Christmas, he rode from Sydney to Melbourne to raise money for Rotary to help buy a prosthetic for a Nepalese girl.

He has no doubt he’ll complete the trip. He’s ridden 1000km in training by taking his penny-farthing down the M3 motorway near his home every morning, no doubt providing a fantastic sight for morning commuters.

John hopes to raise $100,000 for MS research from the ride.

The 35-year-old occupational therapy student and former policeman expects to finish his ride from the Northern Territory in Sydney on Friday, August 9.

To make a tax-deductible donation to MS research, call 1800 CURE MS (1800 2873 67).