Riders raise funds for Kira

Podiatrist Ben Trewben readies Rockingham Triathlon Club president Sandy De La Mare ahead of Sunday’s Kira Cup.

More than 80 riders got on their bikes on Sunday for Rockingham Triathlon Club’s first annual charity cup.

Club president Sandy De La Mare said riders set off from Rockingham foreshore on Sunday morning, completing the parkrun course to raise money for the family of sick toddler Kira Joyce.

Ms De La Mare said club members learned about the plight of the Perth-based two-year-old, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in March, and decided to spring into action.

She said the Kira Cup would become a yearly event to raise funds for those in need in the community.

“We wanted to do something to help Kira after we heard about her

plight from one of our Rockingham-based sponsors,” Ms De La Mare said.

“We hope to turn it into an annual event, so we can continue to help those in need.”

Rockingham Triathlon Club sponsor and Joyce family friend Ben Trewben said the little girl awoke from an induced coma a fortnight ago and had been too sick to undergo much-needed chemotherapy treatment.

Ms De La Mare more than $3000 was raised for the family.

She said prizes, donated by Rockingham’s Athlete’s Foot, went to Lynne Hart, Shayne Dimmer, Johanna Brough, Brendan Dimmer, Polly Redburn and Jeremy Kaputin.