Home

Loss pushes rider to new heights

Cecilia AllenSound Telegraph
From quiet country roads to some of Australia’s most famous landmarks, Trevor Burton is enjoying the scenery on his 2200km ride from Brisbane to Melbourne to raise money for two charities.
Camera IconFrom quiet country roads to some of Australia’s most famous landmarks, Trevor Burton is enjoying the scenery on his 2200km ride from Brisbane to Melbourne to raise money for two charities.

Selfless, motivated and dedicated are just a few words to describe Safety Bay resident Trevor Burton, who is riding more than 2000km to raise money for two charities.

Speaking from Eden, Victoria, Trevor told the Telegraph he had spent three and a half months training for the ride but it was all for a good cause.

Trevor has raised $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and the Answers For Archer Association.

In July 2015, Trevor was saddened to hear the news his friends Dean and Chloe Strauch had lost their 14-month-old boy Archer, who died suddenly in his sleep.

“I couldn’t even try to begin to understand how hard this must have been for them,” he said.

“My heart sank even more as I heard that the cause was Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood and that they would never know how or why this happened. In their search for answers to what caused this tragedy, they have started the Answers For Archer Association to help research and raise awareness for this rare condition.

“I hope to help fundraise and show my support for them in their search for answers.”

A year later, Trevor, who was living in the UK at the time, received the news his aunt, Debbie Linforth, who had been battling leukaemia for years had not been doing well.

Trevor made it back to Perth and spent six days with his aunt before she lost her battle.

“She was the most selfless and loving woman and I owe a lot of who I am and the way I treat others to the influence of her,” he said.

“The Leukaemia Foundation went above and beyond to help her and the family through such a hard time and this is my way of giving back to them and honouring an amazing woman.”

It is not Trevor’s first ride, having completed a solo ride across England to raise money for beyondblue and help a friend score a spot in the London marathon.

He also rode from London to Amsterdam with a friend to raise money for Parkinson’s disease.

A mechanical fitter by trade, Trevor said the Gabba in Brisbane was his starting point and crossing into Sydney and Victoria were big milestones.

Close by to lend a hand is friend Aaron Bassula, who is following him in a van.

“One hundred and 22km has been my biggest day of riding and there was even a day of 99km of non-stop hills,” he said.

“It’s the little things that keep you going, the reasons why I’m doing it, things my aunt used to say and the messages of support from friends and family. Your body is an amazing thing, if you can push through the mental barrier, you can do anything.

“I want to thank Mike, at Bike Force in Success, for helping me prepare and get ready for the ride.”

Trevor aims to arrive at Oh! Jeans Records, 276 Nicholson Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne, May 19 between noon and 3pm.

To find out more or donate, visit https://www.youcaring.com/theleukaemiafoundationandanswersforarcherassociation-749771.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails