Waipukurau's Grace Thompson rides again on new e-bike

Grace Thompson and her new 'e-bike', with Trek Nth Island territory manager Kerry Bartle, Bay Motorcycles manager Wayne Thompson and mum Heidi.

Before she was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in February, Waipukurau's Grace Thompson loved nothing more than riding her bike.

The 10-year-old was a keen member of the CHB Cycling Club and had just won her age group in the annual Tour De Beautiful.

But due to the treatment she is receiving since being diagnosed with adrenal cortical carcinoma — a cancer which only affects around one in a million people, according to her mum, Heidi — Grace has been in too much pain to ride.

But now, in between her three-weekly visits to Starship Hospital in Auckland, Grace will be able to hit the road in comfort after receiving a brand new $2800 battery-powered e-bike from manufacturer Trek, courtesy of Bay Motorcycles.

Last week, Trek's North Island territory manager Kerry Bartle and Bay Motorcycles manager Wayne Thompson handed over the new bike, which Heidi said would allow Grace and the family to ride together again.

"We've always been a cycling family and have been buying bikes from Wayne for years. We were going to buy the e-bike off him for Gracie anyway, but he said 'leave it with me and I'll see what I can do'.

"This way she can get out there again and we can have fun with her while we still can,"
Bay Motorcycles is currently auctioning another Trek bike on Trade Me, with all proceeds going to the Thompson family.

Heidi said it was another example of the overwhelming support the family had received from the CHB community since Grace's diagnosis

"We are so grateful," said Heidi. She thanked Unichem Pharmacy in Waipukurau which ran a Donate a Dollar to Grace campaign during August.

The pharmacy also hosted a Revlon makeover night at CHB Municipal Theatre earlier this year which raised a substantial amount.

A donations page, givealittle.co.nz/cause/gracies-give-a-little, has raised more than $23,000 for the family and is still running.