2006: Smiling for Smiddy Challenge.

When Brisbane physiotherapist Adam SMIDDY passed away in 2006 his death shocked the UQ community.
Mr Smiddy, a UQ graduate and former King’s College resident, was only 26 when he lost a short battle to an aggressive melanoma, leaving behind an indelible mark on those who knew him.

Born from the grief is the annual Smiling for Smiddy Challenge – a gruelling 1600 kilometre cycle from the UQ Aquatic Centre in Brisbane to Home Hill to raise funds for cancer research in memory of Mr Smiddy.
UQ graduate architect Jade Myers, who felt the impact Adam’s sudden death had on mutual friends, joined the trip last year.

The 27-year-old works in the Brisbane studio of BVN Architecture and rides to his office in Fortitude Valley every day.

Mr Myers set off with 50 other riders on September 5 on a grueling 1600 kilometre journey across eight days, arriving in Home Hill in the state’s north on September 12.

“I was asked by a friend to join the ride this year and jumped at the opportunity to be involved because Adam was an incredible guy and his death was such a tragedy,” Mr Myers said.

“Many of my friends knew him well and the ride organiser was one of his close mates and shares a lot of emotional memories with the ride group – he is certainly missed by many.”

Smiling for Smiddy began three years ago and since then has raised more than $600,000 for cancer research.

The Adam Smiddy Cancer Fund at the Mater Foundation sees the money distributed to a variety of initiatives, including prostate cancer research and melanoma drug trials.

 http://www.uq.edu.au/graduatecontact/regulars/2006-smiling-for-smiddy/