Grandmother walks for Luke
Walking from Daintree Ferry to Cooktown
The sudden death of champion junior cyclist Luke Azzopardi 18 months ago, hit the cycling community hard. Of course, the likable young man’s family was equally as devastated, and they were deeply shocked by the tragic incident.
The 19-year-old cyclist was travelling down Lake Morris Road, Kanimbla at around 6.10pm when a collision occurred with a car travelling in the opposite direction. Luke died at the scene despite frantic efforts by the ambulance crew. Luke might be gone but never forgotten.
His Grandmother AnneMarie Helmke is now dedicating a walk from the Daintree Ferry up to Cooktown to her late Grandson. The 75-year-old describes Luke as a positive influence on her life and so, as part of Australian Retirement Trusts QSuper Cardiac Challenge, she’s walking the 137 kilometres to the coastal town. Usually this is done with pedal power but in AnnMarie’s case it’s foot power.
Tough going
However, this is a tough assignment for this focused German bred lady. She’s determined alright, but yesterday’s Alexandra Range walk was one she’d like to forget. It’s narrow at the best of times but when you’ve got trucks and tourist buses whizzing past a few centimetres from you, it gets a little hairy.
When I came upon her, AnneMarie was heading down the mountain towards Cow Bay and was mighty keen for a break. It didn’t take much convincing to get her to take off that heavy backpack and get into our car for the short drive to the Floravilla Ice Cream Factory at Cow Bay. “Passionfruit is my favourite Paul, do you think they’d have one of those” she asked, “I’m sure they’ll have that flavour” I said.
When we arrived at the shop Betty’s assistant Paula had one waiting. A small bottle of lemonade went down a treat as well. It was at this point she reflected on the days trek “I can’t ride a bike, but I can move my legs, so I came up with this plan to get out and do this as a fund raiser and at the same time do it in memory of Luke” she said.
AnneMarie often cared for Luke as an infant during holidays if his mother had work commitments. The two developed a special bond as a result, so the young man is often in her thoughts. “He always used to tell me that you can do anything you put your mind to and currently this walk is what I’m putting my mind to” she said.
Working walk
While on the road AnneMarie has offered to be a personalised chef for residents in exchange for a donation to her fundraising. Locals can approach her during the walk and she will cook a two-course meal for them using ingredients in their fridge and/or garden, set the table, do the dishes and clean up after the meal. Although she plans to stay in her tent at various campsites along the way she came up trumps last night when Betty Hinton from the Floravilla Ice Cream Factory gave her a bed for the night and offered up toilet and shower facilities. Good onya Betty.
Great cause
AnneMarie’s daughter Sue first took part in the QSuper Cardiac Challenge in 2009. That was Luke’s first exposure to cycling events and it became his lifelong passion. Luke’s sister Jasmine is also a keen supporter, and her dad Ian Azzopardi is a volunteer. Gina Hogan, the Chief Executive Officer of Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, that benefits from the QSuper Cardiac Challenge says “This is an incredible goal and I admire AnneMarie’s courage and determination to make this happen” Mrs Hogan said. The Foundation Chief says she and her team are very grateful for Luke Azzopardi’s family support, despite the terrible hardship they must have endured.
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation has contributed more than $5 million to cardiology in the Far North in the past 25 years, most of that through the fundraising bike ride. It’s expected AnneMarie will be on the road for at least another three to four weeks.
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