Cycling for child cancer: Nuk Korako
At age 71, former MP Nuk Korako is back on his bike to raise money for children with cancer.
He’s no stranger to pedalling for a good cause. Former MP and Ngāi Tahu Canterbury Regional Councillor Nuk Korako (pictured) is well-known for his community-driven charity rides. He has already cycled 1417km this year to raise funds for the Cholmondeley Children’s Centre, and last year he cycled 1570km to support a young woman’s life-changing jaw reconstruction.
His latest venture, though, is his biggest challenge yet. As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Nuk is cycling more than 3500km, from Perth to Melbourne, to raise funds and awareness for children facing cancer in New Zealand and Australia.
The ride, which will take him about a month at an average of 120 to 150km per day, started on Saturday 20 September. Nuk set off from Perth Children’s Hospital on the ANZCARE Inaugural Cycle Ride for Child Cancer. The ANZCARE initiative – standing for Australia and New Zealand Child Cancer Advocacy, Research and Empowerment – aims to unite the two countries behind one cause.
I can’t change a diagnosis. I can’t take away the pain. But I can ride every day, every kilometre, to honour their journey and to show them, and their whānau, that they are not alone.
“Child cancer is a journey no whānau or family chooses,” says Nuk. “This ride is about giving hope, raising awareness, and reminding families in New Zealand and Australia that they are not alone. I can’t change a diagnosis. I can’t take away the pain. But I can ride every day, every kilometre to honour their journey and to show them, and their whānau, that they are not alone.”
Nuk is sharing his ride diary every day. Children in hospitals and schools across both countries are able to follow his progress live, with satellite tracking technology enabling them to cheer him on and send messages of encouragement.
“The hardships of this journey are real. Long, narrow roads. Loaded road trains and trucks thundering past. The sun beating down across exposed horizons where there’s no shelter for hundreds of kilometres. Some days, the mental battle to keep pushing forward will be as tough as the ride itself. And yet, this challenge pales in comparison to what children with cancer endure every day,” Nuk says.
All of Nuk’s own travel, flights, and bike logistics are being covered by the Korako Family Trust, with road support assisted by sponsors including Maui Campervans, Consilium, WattWheels, Signtech, Scenic Hotel Group, TrackMe NZ and Inspire Me Women. This ensures that 100% of every donation goes directly to Child Cancer Foundation in New Zealand and Children’s Cancer Foundation in Australia.
How to support:
Donations can be made via the ANZCARE & Child Cancer Foundation fundraising platform: anzcareride.give2ccf.com
