Cyclist Ali Foot has achieved an incredible challenge for HeartKids, taking on the task of riding Ben Lamond, Mount Barrow and Mount Arthur all in one day, raising over $9,000 for our community.
Ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, world champion rower, Alister Foot, found out he had an issue with his aortic valve. After biannual monitoring, things changed significantly in 2024.
“I was told that my aortic valve and aortic root needed to be operated on as soon as possible as I was at risk of a brain aneurysm.”
On October 1, 2024, Ali underwent open-heart surgery (the David-procedure) to repair his aortic valve and aortic dilation. Due to its complexity, the surgery couldn’t be performed in Tasmania.
“This meant my wife, Mon, our kids Poppy and Georgie, and my parents Geoff and Flea made the journey to a Melbourne Hospital for two weeks while I underwent the operation and recovery that couldn’t be done locally.”
Ali spoke on the incredible support he received throughout his surgery and recovery, with family, friends, colleagues and the local running and cycling community all rallying together to help take care of his family, provide meals, and raise funds during a challenging time.
Ali’s story reflects the struggles faced by families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) every single day, with many having to travel a minimum of 200 kilometres to access cardiac care.
“For a Tassie family having to travel at short notice to Victorian hospitals, it’s difficult, they don’t know where to go, what questions to ask, or who they can talk to.”
“We are hoping that Tasmanians now are more aware, that HeartKids are there to support families when they need it most.”
It was Ali’s own journey that left him looking for a way to give back.
“Now, I want to pay this forward. Not every family has the same network of support that we did, and I want to help make a difference.”
After finding out about HeartKids, Ali and his close friend Richie Porte came together to plan “Footy’s Three Peaks for HeartKids,” a challenge to ride Ben Lomond, Mount Barrow, and Mount Arthur all in one day to raise vital funds for HeartKids.
On Saturday, April 18, Ali and Richie, along with Lachie Allison, Stef Shearer, Brooke Lendvay, Justin Kennedy, Pete Coleborn, Tom Matuzek, and Jack Hickey, took on the incredible Three Peaks gravel challenge. Ali successfully climbed Mount Barrow and Mount Arthur but made the decision to descend Ben Lomond about 6km from the summit due to fatigue.
“I may not have reached the final summit, but the day reflected the spirit of the ride: showing up, giving what you have, and doing it with good people.”
Ali has raised over $9000 for HeartKids so far, and we’re tremendously grateful to him and others for taking on this incredible challenge to raise funds to support our community.
“If this has helped raise awareness or made one family feel less alone, it’s been worth every pedal stroke.”
