by SAMARA GARNHAM
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
PINK tractors are few and far between – and seeing one on the road would be quite a headturner. And that’s just what Hugh Bateman is banking on.
The Mudgee local will next month set off on a road trip on his trusty tractor to to raise funds to help the McGrath Foundation employ more breast cancer nurses.
Hugh plans to travel more than 2600 kilometres – and given that his tractor’s stop speed is 30 kmh, it won’t be a quick trip!
“I’m doing it by myself so it will be long and lonely,” he said.
His route will take him from Mudgee to Dubbo, Orange, Griffith, Wollongong, Sydney, the Central Coast, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and the Hunter Valley.
Hugh plans to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and ride to Parliament House to meet NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant. He also hopes to meet Premier Mike Baird at Manly Beach.
He was inspired to help raise money for the foundation after meeting more and more people with breast cancer. “It got to the stage where I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something about it’,” he said. “About seven people per day die from it in Australia.”
Hugh wants to raise at least $250,000 to help lift the number of breast cancer nurses in NSW from 102 to 110.
He said the specialist nurses provided vital slupport to women and men fighting the disease.
“It costs $380,000 for the McGrath Foundation to train and employ a breast cancer nurse for three years,” he said.
“There is a need for people who have breast cancer to have some contact with someone when they’re by themselves.”
To donate or follow Hugh’s journey: www.facebook.com/ hughbatemanspinktractortrek
