Geoff King will ride from Cape Rēinga to Wellington while in active cancer care.
Geoff King will ride from Cape Rēinga to Wellington while in active cancer care.
While still monitoring ongoing cancer developments of his own, school counsellor Geoff King will be riding from Cape Rēinga to Wellington, to raise funds to support children living with cancer.
For King beginning the ride in Northland is a deliberate return to the region his family came from. His father,Alister, was born in Te Kōpuru and King spent his early childhood on a dairy farm near Ōkaihau, before the family moved south.
He said he is looking forward to the spiritual experience of revisiting the Far North because of his family roots, when he starts his ride today .
This journey also completes a personal loop for King. In 2018 he rode the length of the South Island; just months later he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, followed by metastasis to the liver.
The years that followed brought on three major surgeries, radiation and multiple rounds of chemotherapy.
His attempt to cycle the North Island was repeatedly halted by treatment, and this journey marks his first opportunity to finish the ride he intended to start years ago.
His most recent surgery was the removal of part of his liver last year, and King is not sure how this may impact his journey but remains determined to complete it.
“I have recovered from that as well as I think I can and I am feeling more like my normal self, but to be honest, I am a little bit anxious about how my body will handle riding a bike for a long time.”
He is a recreational cyclist and hopes his regular cycling trips have him well prepared for the journey.
“I’m not in remission yet. I’m living with the knowledge that I have no control over whether or not the cancer will return.
“But I can still do something. I can still contribute. If my ride helps the Child Cancer Foundation support even one more child or family, then every hill, every kilometre and every tough day will be worth it.”
Geoff King and his family. King is set to ride from Cape Rēinga to Wellington while in active cancer care.
As a school counsellor and clinical supervisor, King has spent decades helping people through trauma and illness. He has also worked closely with the Child Cancer Foundation, helping one of its Family Support Coordinators and seeing first-hand the pressure families face when a child is diagnosed.
He set out hoping to raise $2000. He has now passed $5000 and expects to lift the bar again.
“Anything is gratefully received for this worthy cause, really … I’ll keep advertising. I was a salesman in a previous life, so I’ll keep advertising.”
With no direct government funding, the Child Cancer Foundation must raise $6.5 million each year to continue its vital work – relying entirely on the generosity of everyday New Zealanders.
The foundation’s chief executive, Monica Briggs, said King’s determination is extraordinary.
“He is living with cancer himself, yet he is choosing to use his strength to support children who are facing their own cancer journey. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment and the generosity of everyone who has backed his ride.
“Their support helps us provide vital, personalised care to tamariki with cancer and their families across Aotearoa. Geoff’s effort embodies the compassion and community spirit that keeps Child Cancer Foundation going.”
