The tsunami that smashed into Samoa's southern coast sparked sobering memories for Haumoana's Lika Akeripa.
When he was 6, a massive hurricane flattened trees and caused widespread destruction in Samoa, including his birthplace, Manono Island.
"I was just a kid, yet I remember it as a really scary time - but it
was nothing compared with the destruction seen there in recent weeks," Mr Akeripa said.
Next Friday, the personal trainer will put his livelihood on the line by biking continuously for 24 hours to raise money for his stricken homeland. At his Haumoana home gym and Premium Fitness business base, the 48-year-old will begin riding at 6pm and spin his wheels until 6pm Saturday.
"I won't be able to walk for a week."
His small island, situated in Samoa's Apolima Strait, with a population of 770, was just one of many places completely transformed by the tsunami.
"Friends tell me the island is destroyed. In such a short space of time it became unrecognisable," he said.
Though the island had just one fatality, most of the fales and much of the four villages were in ruins.
"I've got a sister, cousins and friends over there that need all the help they can get. This is just my way of helping out. Although I haven't been back since my father died in 1998, it's still my island of birth and I've got really strong ties there."
* Donations to the Ride 4 Samoa fund can be made at any Westpac branch.
