Having lost his mother to breast cancer and with his brother battling the dreaded disease, Ian Retallack decided it was time for him to do something positive in helping discover a cure for the ailment that claims the lives of so many world-wide.
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This week, his canvas-covered wagon pulled in turn by his two horses Matt and Paddy and accompanied by pet kelpie Russ pulled into Parkes - and today, are probably on a road near Dubbo as part of a three year round Australia fundraising for cancer.
Ian set off from Boyanyup near Bunberry in WA last October 26, and with the first anniversary quickly approaching has already raised in excess of $47,000.
While it was a rocky start to his “Rattles Ride for Cancer” trip when only 32 people turned up to a country music festival organised as a send-off, his deflation and uncertainty was quickly replaced by the wonderful support from the people of Boyup Brook - 100kms further east.
“I felt really deflated with the response to music festival and wasn’t sure of proceeding further with the trip,” Ian said.
“However, the people of Boyup Brook really embraced what I was attempting and the welcome was amazing; For me it really heralded the start of the fundraising trip.”
Ian said he would dearly love a corporate sponsor to come on board.
“What better publicity would it be for a corporate sponsor to have its name emblazoned across the wagon,” Ian quipped!
“I’ll be honest when I say it hasn’t been easy.
“But everywhere I go the people have been brilliant, with many motorists stopping to talk, others offering food and drink not only to me but also to the animals, truckies donating money, and showgrounds everywhere offering me free overnight accommodation.
“People wanting to help, this is what keeps inspiring me to continue on with the trek.
“Even on my arrival here in Parkes, I was greeted warmly by onlookers as I progressed up the main street to the showground.
“And shortly after there was a young lady with a supply of food for me to enjoy lunch.
“This is the type of thing that makes me proud to be an Aussie,” he said.
The only major hiccup so far during the trek occurred outside of Forbes when one of his horses Matt suffered a reaction to a Hendra vaccination injection.
“The injection really put Matt in a bad way, he fell over at one point which was terrible and his recovery remains on-going.”
Asked how he and the animals have coped so far with the weather conditions, Ian replied with a shrug of the shoulders.
“Look mate, we crossed the Nullabor in January and I lost 10 kilos in three months. The horses and Russ did it brilliantly.
“Really the hottest day I experienced peaked at 44 degrees celcius.
“But this is what our ancestors undertook to make this country what it is today. So what have I got to complain about,” he said.
It was after this crossing that Ian took time out to work for a farmer at Wudinna in South Australia for a month as means of replenishing the coffers.
Ian has set a goal to be in Coffs Harbour for Christmas.
“I’ve made a pact with my son Ashley and his two grandchildren Nevaya and Lincon that I’ll be there to celebrate the festive season with them.”
His trip will take him through Charters Towers in Queensland, then towards Darwin before setting on down the West Australian coast where his epic trip will cease at Boyup Brook.
The it will be down to writing a book of his expedition.
“I’ve already thought of the title - Aussie Adventure Rattles Ride,” Ian said.
In the meantime, Ian has urged anyone wishing to make a donation to boost his fundraising effort can do so by going online to www.rattlesride.com.au or phone him for a chat on 0498467735.
“Every dollar will help go towards research into finding a cure for the dreaded cancer,” Ian said.