CARLISLE resident and double lung and heart transplant recipient Paul Barratt met life’s challenges head on since his transplant in 2005- and usually on a bike.
Unfortunately, following complications related to his lung disease, Mr Barratt died on April 4 but not before urging others to challenge themselves to help lung research.
In 2010, Mr Barratt and his son Chris rode their bikes 498km in 13 days through bush on the Munda Biddi Track to raise funds for respiratory research at the Lung Institute of WA.
Mr Barratt who spoke to the Southern Gazette just a fortnight before his death, asked other bike riders in the community to challenge themselves by competing in a 24-hour road bike race in Cowaramup in April.
The race is called Delirium 24 hour cycle race and will see solo riders and teams of six challenge themselves and compete with each other to see who can ride the most kilometres around a 3.8 km circuit.
This will be the second year that the race has been held in aid of the Lung Institute of WA.
Mr Barratt had said taking part in such a ride gave people a sense of satisfaction and pride in their achievement.
“It gives you a great feeling to achieve a big physical challenge, but the best feeling comes from knowing you are making a difference in the lung community,” he said.
“People don’t realise the extent of lung disease in Australia.
“One in four people have some kind of chronic lung disease.
“Not all will need a lung transplant like me, but we desperately need the solutions that medical research can provide.
“Using your lungs is the key to having healthy lungs.”
The race will be held on April 21 and 22, for more information visit 24hrcycleracing.com.