Retailer puts heart into Cardiac Challenge
A MEMBER of a family of Far North retail giants will be going the extra mile for this year’s Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge.
The Piccone family have been long-time supporters of the Cardiac Challenge, supply- ing food for the roughly 600 riders every year.
However, this will be the first time the IGA and Piccones Village owners get in the race themselves, with John Piccone, 56, undertaking a fitness journey to get in shape for the 333km Cairns to Cooktown ride by September.
“I haven’t got a training regimen yet, but I’ve joined a gym and have been a dozen times in the last three weeks,” he said.
“I’ve been talking to a lot of people that cycle and met a lot of people that have done the challenge, so I’m sure I won’t be short of advice, or people that want to get me involved and ensure the training is as painful as possible.”
Mr Piccone is aiming to raise $10,000 for the ride.
He said it was important to him to support the event, hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, because of the support the hospital has provided for the family for years. “The Foundation supported my mum and my family when she had cancer, the Foundation supports my dad with his heart and other health issues,” he said.
Family patriarch Lou Piccone said he was pleased with his son’s efforts.