Stroke message delivered to South Gippsland

TOMMY Quick rode into Leongatha on Wednesday as part of his epic adventure to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation and create awareness that strokes affect young people as well as the elderly.

Tommy, now 29, had a stroke aged just 12, and is still physically impacted by it.

He is aiming to visit the four most extreme points of mainland Australia during his planned 9,000 kilometre journey on a reticulated trike.

“I want to raise $1 million for the Stroke Foundation and advocate for young stroke awareness,” Tommy said.

He noted that each year around 600 Australians up to the age of 18 suffer strokes, with a third of those occurring before birth.

Tommy’s ride initially began at Australia’s westernmost spot, Steep Point in Western Australia, with Cape York the scheduled finishing place.

He had completed 3,500 kilometres before a horrific accident in South Australia’s Barossa Valley in which he was severely injured when hit by an unlicensed driver.

After a lengthy period of recovery, the journey resumed on December 4 when Tommy set out from Ascot Vale bound for Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of the Australian mainland.

Tommy plans to set off next March on his ride to the New South Wales destination Cape Byron, Australia’s easternmost point, then he’ll head for Queensland’s Cape York, as far north as you can go on the mainland.

The adventure was initially expected to take a year, but will now total about three years due to the accident.

Since the original journey began, $65,000 has been raised.

As well as the support of his parents Clive and Rena throughout his adventure, others join Tommy for sections of the ride.

He rode into Leongatha with a small but enthusiastic group of supporters.

One of them, Geraldine McClure, who lives in Churchill, met Tommy on a Great Victorian Bike Ride and has been looking forward to joining him on his fundraising trip.

While Wednesday was her first opportunity to do so, she was hopeful of being granted a little more time off work to continue further on the journey.

Family friend of the Quicks, Ewan Smith, and David Jones a former workmate of Tommy’s dad at Victoria University, were also part of the group, as was Mark Lowry.

Tommy studied at Victoria University, with David tutoring him.

“He’s done a degree in nutritional sciences,” David said, adding that Tommy is also a personal trainer and has tackled the Kokoda trail with his dad and uncle.

During his current challenge, Tommy appreciated Wednesday’s downhill leg from Korumburra to Leongatha after an arduous slog from Loch to Korumburra the previous day.

Asked if he has a massage or physio treatment after such tough legs, Tommy responded “I should,” adding he sometimes rolls his feet on a massage ball or does some stretching.

Visit website the4points.org to check on Tommy’s progress, make a donation, find out how to join Tommy on part of his journey, or learn more about his story.

You can also follow the ride at 4pointsaustralia on Instagram or the 4 Points Australia on Facebook.