$80k raised for BMX champion
CLOSE to $80,000 has been raised for Toowoomba BMX rider Jared Graves in three months, as he continues treatment for a brain tumour.
The professional athlete was diagnosed in early September and has since undergone surgery and a course of radiation which left him unable to compete.
Since then, more than 1000 people have donated to Mr Graves’ GoFundMe page, which was started by his friend Ryan Myler.
The Toowoomba BMX Club has been a significant contributor, with a Ride for Jared club race in November raising more than $2500 in donations for the rider.
In a post to the Strength for Jared Facebook page, Mr Graves said he was enjoying a couple of weeks away from treatment over the Christmas period.
“Hopefully I will get the all clear to try and ride a (mountain bike) before Christmas. That would be an awesome present,” Mr Graves said.
In other photos posted to his Instagram page, Mr Graves has been going on leisurely rides in between treatment.
“(There’s been) a lot to think about resulting in a few rides going well over their intended length,” he said in one Instagram post, uploaded earlier this month.
“Nice to take it easy today and enjoy everything around me.
“My conscience is clear, and I’ve had an all-time high of support from sponsors and the family and friends that matter to me.”
According to the page, he will start a six-month course of high-dose chemotherapy in the new year.
The GoFundMe page can be found under the title Strength for Jared.