Cancer Survivor Plans Cross-Australia Ride to Raise Awareness – In mid-June, 56-year-old former rally driver Steve “Sport” Griffiths will tackle a 4,000-mile (approximately 6,437 km) dirt-bike expedition from one side of Australia to the other, raising funds for Cancer Research UK and Australia’s McGrath Foundation. What began as a commitment to help a friend’s family cope with breast cancer has taken on a much deeper meaning: in 2023, Griffiths himself was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer (throat cancer) and endured six weeks of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Now, still coping with the long-term effects of treatment—particularly a chronically dry mouth—he is determined to turn his own journey into motivation for others and to support research into kinder, more effective therapies.
A New Mission After a Personal Battle
Originally, Griffiths planned his Australia crossing—starting at Steep Point on the western shore and ending in Byron Bay—to draw attention (and donations) for a friend’s wife, who had been fighting breast cancer. As a retired Peugeot rally driver and seasoned mechanic from Quarry Bank in Dudley, he knew a 4,000-mile off-road ride would be demanding, but he felt prepared mentally and physically.
Then, in late 2023, came the unexpected personal hurdle: doctors discovered an aggressive oropharyngeal tumor that had already begun affecting his ability to swallow. He spent six weeks at the hospital, undergoing daily bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although the treatment eliminated the cancer, it left lasting damage to his salivary glands. Even now, Griffiths must carry water pouches strapped over his shoulders—roughly two liters at a time—just to stay hydrated and swallow food with minimal discomfort.
“I’ve learned firsthand how profoundly cancer treatment can change your life,” he explains. “Every day, I have to sip water, and even then, swallowing remains a challenge. But if I can endure this ride—over sand dunes, through midday heat, and freezing desert nights—maybe that will help others going through the same struggle. I want to raise thousands of pounds for treatments that are easier to endure.”
The Route: From Steep Point to Byron Bay
Griffiths is part of a five-rider team. On June 17, they will convene at Steep Point, the westernmost point of mainland Australia, famous among adventure riders for its steep cliffs and panoramic ocean vistas. From there, their route snakes eastward, traversing some of the most remote and formidable terrain in the world:
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Western Desert and Outback Plains
The first leg takes them across the Western Desert, where daytime highs can soar to 34 °C. Nights can dip near freezing. They will camp under star-filled skies, aware that camels or kangaroos might wander onto the track at any moment. “I’m told the wildlife treats the route like a playground,” Griffiths says. “One minute you’re racing along dusty tracks, the next you see kangaroos bounding alongside you. The real danger is losing focus while you’re staring at them.” -
Central Outback and Aboriginal Lands
Midway through the journey, the riders must obtain special permits to ride through designated Aboriginal territories. Respect for local indigenous communities and their sacred sites is paramount. Griffiths and his teammates will liaise with traditional landowners to ensure minimal environmental impact and to observe cultural protocols—for example, avoiding certain areas at dawn and dusk, when they are believed to be spiritually significant. -
Eastern Slopes and Coastal Approach
As they near the eastern seaboard, the landscape shifts from red desert sands to eucalyptus-covered hills. Although the terrain becomes less punishing in terms of heat, the riders face muddier trails and unexpected creek crossings—especially if early June rains have swollen watercourses. Their final checkpoint is Byron Bay, where a small celebration is planned on the beach at sunrise.
Equipment, Preparation, and Camp Life
Griffiths’ background as a rally mechanic gives him a critical advantage: he not only knows how to ride fast but also how to fix a broken chain or replace a worn-out clutch on the fly. His World War II–era vehicle restoration experience has taught him resourcefulness—patching up pitted fuel tanks and jury-rigging metal brackets under pressure.
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Each rider will carry a meticulously chosen set of tools and spare parts. Griffiths lists his top five must-haves:
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Extra Water Pouches (2 L each): “Because of my dry mouth, I’m planning to carry at least four liters at any time.”
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High-Capacity Air Pump and Patch Kit: Desert terrain can shred tires quickly.
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Spare Air Filter Cartridges: Sand and dust clog filters fast; Nip a replacement in early if you want to breathe clean.
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Compact Field Repair Kit: Wrenches, chain lube, zip ties, and duct tape—sometimes all you need to jury-rig a solution.
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Thermal Sleeping Bag and Bivvy Sack: Winter nights in the Outback can hover around 0 °C; you need warm, lightweight protection.
Each evening, the team will set up camp in basic bivvy sacks—lightweight, waterproof shelters—and cook dehydrated meals over small gas stoves. Griffiths jokes that a simple freeze-dried curry tastes like a five-star banquet after twelve hours in the saddle.
An Emotional Ties: Remembering Loved Ones
Despite the intensity of the terrain, Griffiths says the emotional dimension of the ride is just as significant. Accompanying him is not only his passion for off-road adventure but also his desire to honor:
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Friends and Family Affected by Cancer: He keeps mementos in his tank bag—photographs of loved ones lost to cancer—as daily reminders of why he persists.
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Beau, His Rally Co-Driver (and Childhood Friend): In the 1990s, Griffiths and Beau Thompson raced Peugeot 205s across muddy tracks in the British Rally Championship. Thompson later succumbed to pancreatic cancer. “Every mile I ride, I feel Beau’s spirit with me,” Griffiths says. “He always urged me to push a little harder, and I’ll be thinking of him when the going gets rough.”
Fundraising Goals and Beneficiaries
Griffiths has set an ambitious target: to raise at least £50,000 (approximately AUD 95,000). All proceeds will be split evenly between:
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Cancer Research UK: Funding research into less toxic chemotherapy agents, new immunotherapies, and improved screening techniques for oropharyngeal and other cancers.
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McGrath Foundation (Australia): Staffing specialist breast care nurses in underserved regions, especially Outer Rural and Remote communities, so women can receive timely support during diagnosis and treatment.
Local communities in both the U.K. and Australia have rallied behind his effort. In Dudley, a fundraiser at the local community center auctioned off rally-inspired memorabilia—signed helmets, a custom-painted fuel tank, and a framed map of the Australian route. Meanwhile, in Brisbane, several motorcycle clubs have offered to host send-off events and coordinate support for the leg between the central Outback and the eastern coast.
A Glimpse Into the Numbers
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Distance: ~4,000 miles (6,437 km)
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Duration: 24 days on the road, plus one day of celebration in Byron Bay (Sunrise finishing event)
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Temperatures: Ranging from near 0 °C at night to 34 °C (93 °F) during the day, with humidity spikes near the eastern coast
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Daily Average Riding Time: 8–10 hours, depending on terrain conditions
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Support Vehicle: A 4×4 carrying extra fuel, medical supplies, camping gear, and the first-aid kit (tailored to treat snake or spider bites)
Griffiths acknowledges that although he can lean on his mechanical skills and previous rally experience, the sheer remoteness of the Outback means he could be up to 200 km from the nearest airstrip or help station. “If something goes drastically wrong, we have satellite phones and medevac protocols,” he says. “But it’s still risky—especially when you throw in nocturnal spiders, venomous snakes, and the odd redback lurking around the campsite.”
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FAQs About Steve “Sport” Griffiths’ Charity Ride
1. Why did Steve postpone the ride when he was first diagnosed?
After his oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis in 2023, Griffiths needed six weeks of daily chemo and radiotherapy, followed by several months of recovery. He postponed the expedition so that treatment could begin immediately. Attempting such a grueling ride during active cancer therapy would have been medically inadvisable.
2. What is oropharyngeal cancer, and how has it affected Steve?
Oropharyngeal cancer arises in the tissues of the oropharynx, which includes the base of the tongue, tonsils, and soft palate. Griffiths’s treatment—while successful at eradicating the tumor—damaged his salivary glands. As a result, he now experiences chronic xerostomia (dry mouth) and must sip water constantly to swallow food and speak comfortably.
3. Why choose the Australian Outback for a charity ride?
The Outback’s reputation for harsh conditions—sweltering daytime heat, freezing nights, unpredictable wildlife, and vast distances between settlements—makes it an iconic challenge for endurance riders. For Griffiths, the Outback’s unforgiving nature parallels the struggle of battling cancer: both demand resilience, adaptability, and mental grit.
4. How can people donate or follow Steve’s progress?
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UK Donations: Through Cancer Research UK’s official “Sport Griffiths 4,000-Mile Challenge” webpage.
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Australian Donations: Via the McGrath Foundation’s “Outback Heroes Ride” campaign page.
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Live Updates: Followers can track GPS coordinates and daily blog posts on Griffiths’s website, where he plans to upload photos, video clips, and reflections each evening when camp is set up.
5. What safety measures are in place for emergencies?
The team travels with a support 4×4 equipped with first-aid supplies, snake-bite kits, an automated external defibrillator (AED), and a satellite phone for emergencies. Each motorcycle also carries a small personal locator beacon. They have coordinated with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in case evacuation becomes necessary.
6. How has local and indigenous support played a role?
To cross certain tracts of Aboriginal land, Griffiths’s team obtained special permits and consulted with custodial elders. Before entering sensitive areas, they attended cultural briefings to learn about restricted zones and local protocols—such as not photographing sacred rock formations or riding through ceremonial grounds at dawn. In return, several communities offered to host riders for a night of hospitality—a chance to learn about Dreamtime stories around the campfire.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Byron Bay
By the time Griffiths crests the coastal hills near Byron Bay—pedal to the dirt, adrenaline still coursing through his veins—he expects to be bone-tired but elated. The finish line ceremony, slated for sunrise on the final day, will feature local musicians, a small fireworks display, and a symbolic lighting of torches to honor all those affected by cancer.
For Griffiths, this journey is more than a testament to his own survival; it is a tribute to every patient who has endured months of painful treatments, the friends and family who supported them, and the researchers striving for gentler therapies. “Cancer changes lives in ways no one can fully explain,” he reflects. “If my ride can raise more money for research, help catch early-stage cancers sooner, or improve quality of life for survivors—then chafed shoulders, busted sprockets, and sleepless desert nights will all have been worth it.”
For real-time updates and to contribute to his fundraising goal, visit Steve Griffiths’s official challenge pages:
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Cancer Research UK – “Steve Griffiths 4,000-Mile Challenge”
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McGrath Foundation – “Outback Heroes Ride”
