They have answered the Cancer Council’s call to “ride for a reason” in honour of Melisa Ward and Ian “Bluey” Scarman.

The pair’s deaths touched many Pirieans, and many more have also at some time been saddened by the loss of acquaintances, friends and loved ones to the disease.

With this motivation behind them, a group of Port Pirie riders have nominated to ride in the Bupa Challenge Tour on Friday, January 20.

After many months of commitment and training, the group will take up the challenge of riding 138 kilometres along the Stage Four course, which will take them from Norwood through the winding Adelaide Hills to the finish line at Tanunda in the Barossa Valley.

They hope it will also draw attention to a charitable foundation established to help other locals who are diagnosed with cancer.

The “Port Pirie Hospital – Melisa Ward Memorial” foundation, established by her family, aims to raise funds for the purchase of additional health facilities for the benefit of all those who may need to use the Port Pirie Regional Health Service.

Its fundraising goals include the purchase of a palliative care electronic bed, chemotherapy chairs and a flexible room in C Ward that would contain a refrigerator, microwave and comfortable sofa bed.

The Ward family – including her children Ella, 15, Maggie, 12 and Charlie Ward, eight – said they wanted to honour Melisa’s memory by making it easier for families who find themselves in hospital and away from their normal home environment.

“We want to honour our mum by raising money to buy stuff for the hospital to make it easier for families to be together when someone is sick,” they said.

“Buying things to help other people’s families be comfortable and strong during a time when Mum or Dad or someone else is in hospital will allow the sick person to focus their energy on getting better.”

Donations to the Port Pirie Hospital – Melisa Ward Foundation can be made at the accounts area at the hospital.

Donations of more than $2 can be made tax-deductible.

The Cancer Council is the Tour Down Under’s official charitable partner, and this year it is calling on all the cyclists participating in the event to “ride for a reason”.