Queensland’s biggest charity bike ride is back again this year, with Katie Mattin from Nova 106.9FM leading the charge in her role as MS Brissie to the Bay Ambassador for the second year in a row.
Having publicly announced her diagnosis in early 2016, the popular NOVA106.9FM mornings announcer has signed up again for this year’s MS Brissie to the Bay bike ride; together with the MS community, family and friends aiming to raise an aspirational $1.5 million to support people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The annual ride has become one of Brisbane’s biggest and best charity bike rides and this year the event is expected to attract over 5,000 cyclists, including the most enduring riders with the introduction of a 160km Classic (that’s 100 miles!). The 27th annual MS Brissie to the Bay bike ride will be held on Sunday 18 June this year.
Katie, who has been living with MS for eight years following diagnosis at just 25 years of age, said she signed on as an ambassador in the hope of helping others who are living with MS to find their strength and courage.
“If I had known someone like me when I was first diagnosed, I would have felt much more calm and confident getting my mind around what it means to live with MS.
“If I can help someone else find their courage, then it’s definitely worth sharing my story.”
This will be the second year that Katie participates in the ride, and she will be encouraging the people of Brisbane to join in too.
“I was a little terrified last year as I went into it not even owning my own bike! But my eight year old twin girls and I really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to it again this year.”
You don’t need to be a professional cyclist to take part in the ride, there’s a course for everyone. From children and families, tandem bike riders, social riders to lycra-loving everyday cyclists, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
There’s a family friendly 10km ride around the Brisbane Riverside, the scenic 25km ride to Balmoral, the 50km to Wynnum and the 100km ride to Wellington Point and Cleveland as well as the new 160km Classic.
MS is the most common incurable chronic neurological condition affecting young adults in Australia. The average age of diagnosis is just 30 and it affects almost three times more women than men. Approximately one in every 1,000 people in Australia are living with MS, equating to more than 23,000 Australians and over 3,200 residing in Queensland.
With no known cause or cure and symptoms varying significantly between those diagnosed, MS is often thought of as an invisible condition.
With limited government funding for the extensive support services they provide, MS Queensland relies heavily on dedicated individuals to get involved and help raise much-needed funding to provide vital services across Queensland and help search for a cure.