• Skip to main content
  • Skip to navigation
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
Government of Western Australia Crest
Government of Western Australia
Government of Western Australia Crest

Additional Menu

  • Accessibility
  • Contact us
Go to WA Government search
  • About us
    • Contact us
      • Compliments, complaints and suggestions
      • Misconduct
      • Care Opinion
      • Thanks to our staff
    • Provide feedback
    • Health Service Board
    • Executive
    • Vision and Values
    • Past adoption practices
    • Strategic Planning
    • Annual Reports
    • Freedom of Information
    • Governance
  • Hospitals and Services
    • Hospitals
      • Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
      • Osborne Park Hospital
      • King Edward Memorial Hospital
      • Graylands Hospital
      • Joondalup Health Campus
    • Mental Health
      • Community Adult Mental Health
      • Inpatient Adult Mental Health
      • Mental Health Specialties
      • State Forensic Mental Health Services
      • Community Advisory Council
    • Public Health
      • Aboriginal Health
      • DonateLife
      • Health Promotion
      • Humanitarian Entrant Health Service
      • Infection Prevention and Control
      • Boorloo Public Health Unit
      • State Head Injury Unit
      • WA Tuberculosis Control Program
    • Dental Health Services
    • Services
      • Cancer Network WA
      • Elective surgery
      • Emergency Departments
      • Maternity Services
      • Residential Care Line
      • Interpreters and Language Services
      • Video Consultation
    • Voluntary Assisted Dying
  • Patient Care
    • Safety and Quality
      • Patient safety
      • Quality of care
      • Maintaining high standards of healthcare
      • Engaging with our consumers
    • Aishwarya’s CARE Call
    • Manage My Care
    • Patient rights and responsibilities
    • Partnering with Consumers
      • Community Advisory Councils
      • Engagement
      • NMHS statement on family and domestic violence
      • Partnership Model
      • Volunteering
    • Choose Wisely
    • Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
    • Patient resources
  • Health Professionals
    • Referring Patients
    • Boorloo Public Health Unit
      • Syphilis outbreak
      • Notifying diseases
      • Immunisation support
      • Perth Public Health Officer Training Program
      • Reports, publications and resources
      • Forms
    • GP Liaison
    • Library and Information Service
    • Staff Exposures and Absences Form
    • CADD Standards
  • Research
    • About our research
    • Research ethics and governance
    • NMHS Research Strategy
    • Research news
    • Why undertake research
    • Current research
    • Research partners
  • Work with us
    • Employee benefits
    • About us
    • Staff stories
    • International and interstate recruitment
    • Nursing and Midwifery
    • Forensic Mental Health
    • Mental Health
      • Mental Health Transition to Practice Program
    • Medical
      • Interns
      • Overseas trained doctors
    • Aboriginal employment and recruitment
    • Dental
    • Graduates
      • Mental Health Transition to Practice Program
      • GradConnect
    • Vacancies
    • Career opportunities
    • Pathways to working with us
    • Diversity and inclusion
    • Volunteering
  • Latest News
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. 2023
  4. 03
  5. 28
  6. Ride of thanks by Perth grandfather for SCGH

Ride of thanks by Perth grandfather for SCGH

Ride of thanks by Perth grandfather for SCGH

Gordon MacDonald finishing his ride for thanks
28/03/2023

A former patient with stage four terminal brain cancer rode his bike from Bunbury to Perth over the weekend to raise funds and pay tribute to staff at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Despite Gordon MacDonald being diagnosed with stage four terminal brain cancer in January 2022 and given 12 to 14 months to live, he was determined to make this journey and raise funds via the Charlies Foundation.

After 30 rounds of radiation, 10 rounds of chemotherapy and brain surgery Mac is still fighting strong wanted to pay thanks to the health professionals who saved him.

“When I decided to try and raise funds for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital it started out being all about money,” he said.

“But now it’s about raising awareness of this terrible thing and about trying to say thank you and raise money for research.”

Affectionally known as Mac, he is a former London Metropolitan and Sussex Police Service Officer, with an international network of friends and family who were ready to step up and support him along the difficult journey.

“I am one of the lucky ones,” he said. “I have so much support and love around me from my wife and my family and friends I just feel so lucky.

The staff at Charlies have just been incredible and have always felt so supported by everyone.”

Mac began his bike ride from Koombana Bay in Bunbury on Sunday morning at 6.30am on Sunday 26 March, surrounded by some dedicated friends.

Conquering the first leg by 3pm Sunday he spent the night in Mandurah to rest before taking off and completing the last leg alongside his wife, friends and grandchildren.

He arrived in Perth on Monday 27 March at 2pm.

“I feel very humbled by the whole thing,” he said.

“Knowing you’re going to die is a hell of a thing but I’m not ready to give up, I’m not scared of dying and I want to live as long as I can.”

Gordon’s fundraising has already reached an amazing $23,000 and donations can be made via this link Mac's Bike Ride for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - Charlies Foundation (external site)

Previous Next
Last Updated: 04/04/2023
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Footer menu

  • wa.gov.au
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Brought to you by the Department of Health, Western Australia

© Government of Western Australia 2018 to