When it comes to charity and helping people, some people are shameless self promoters, while others just get on with the job quietly. Lake Macquarie’s Grant O’Henley falls into the latter. This Sunday he’ll ride his bike around Lake Macquarie, not once, but twice, a journey of nearly 170 kilometres. He’ll raise close to $10,000 in the process.
47-year-old Grant, or Granto as he’s known around the lake, lost his father Brian to cancer in the late 1990’s. He was just 53. Grant saw the great care taken by those at the Mater Hospital’s cancer treatment centre and was inspired.
There are others who have inspired Grant along the way.
“I met a kid who had leukaemia and that really jolted me because I was still pretty raw after dad died. I remember thinking about this girl and her family and how tough it is because of how young she is.” Grant said.
He’s been on a money raising mission ever since and estimates that he and his wife Rebecca have raised close to $100,000. Not that he tells anyone.
It’s charity with a twist. Grant’s money raising efforts include three 24 hour golf marathons (try chasing a golf ball around Waratah Golf Course in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter in torrential rain), celebrity auctions (Grant has auctioned off a round of golf with mate Peter Sterling three times) and sports memorabilia auctions (Grant auctioned off Danny Green’s gloves when he was World Champ.)
This Sunday Grant will be one of thousands of people who take to the road for the annual Loop the Lake charity bike ride. This year the money will go towards the John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
Visit the loop the lake website HERE
“I’ll set off about 6.30 and finish my first lap about 9.30, then take it easy with a few mates on the second.” said Grant.
Visit the Every Day Hero website to get behind Grant
As the mother of Grant, I couldn’t be more proud of his achievements in fund raising for such worthy causes. I will be there on Sunday to cheer him on, along with other family members and friends. Grant’s wife Rebecca has always been a wonderful supporter and worker in all fund raising events and will be there on Sunday along with his sister Karen
As Grant’s mother, I couldn’t be more proud of his fund raising achievements over the years since his father passed away. I will be there on Sunday along with other family members and friends to cheer him on. Good luck Granto we all love you and wish you well.