Meet Stephen
On October 13 2024, Rockhampton local, Stephen Doblo, raised a gold trophy above his head as the highest individual fundraiser for Mater’s Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer.
What began as a personal journey to lose weight became something far more meaningful—for Stephen and for the growing community of generous supporters across Australia who followed his progress.
Having signed up just 10 weeks before the event, Stephen had his work cut out for him in both training and fundraising—two areas where he was determined to excel.
With a short runway, Stephen approached lead in with energy and a ‘bit of fun’. His unique approach paid off on both fronts—having lost 26 kilos and building a loyal following of donors and local business supporters.
Stephen began sharing his journey on social media through a series of light-hearted videos—and the donations started to pour in.
“I had some fun with my fundraising,” Stephen said. “For every donation, I’d write the person’s name and the amount on a board. Then suddenly, people wanted to see their names up there—it created this awesome buzz.”
Local businesses soon joined the movement, adding fuel to Stephen’s campaign.
“Support came from all kinds of people,” he said. “The ones you least expect to give often turn out to be the most generous.”
“People connected with it because everyone’s been touched in some way by this hideous disease,” Stephen added. “Every dollar counts, and every extra hour we can buy in the lab is absolutely critical.”
And buy time in the lab he did.
Stephen’s efforts raised a remarkable $12,905 for cancer research at Mater—a sum that translates to 103 hours of vital lab time.
Despite wet and challenging conditions during the 2024 ride, Stephen crossed the finish line filled with pride and purpose.
“It was a hard ride, but it didn’t feel hard—because every cyclist here is doing it for the right reason.”
“We’re all winners because of what we’ve achieved. This trophy isn’t just mine—it’s for all of us.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Stephen is already planning his return, this time with a brand-new bike and a team of mates from Rockhampton. His goal? To claim the team fundraising title—all in the name of life-saving cancer research.
With gratitude for the 5,000 other cyclists and the friendships forged along the way, Stephen summed it up perfectly:
“It’s a great event, great people, for a great cause. Bring on 2025!”
