15 May 2025
Tyrepower is helping to power forward prostate cancer research and support through an ongoing partnership with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
Over the past 11 years Tyrepower have raised $1.3 million to fight back against Australia’s most common cancer and support the 26,000 men diagnosed each year.
As a prostate cancer survivor, Tyrepower Queensland General Manager Rob Smith said he was proud to support the game-changing partnership to help save lives.
“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at just 54 years old but thanks to surgery and advances in research, I’m still here today,” Mr Smith said.
“Our partnership is vitally important to driving forward prostate cancer research and we’re committed to going to the distance with PCFA for all men and families impacted by this disease.
“I couldn’t have gone through my diagnosis without PCFA’s support, and I want to ensure no one else has to face prostate cancer alone.”
This year, Tyrepower staff around the country will also be ramping up their support for the cause, spearheaded by Tyrepower Parkes owner Richard Jefferay.
In August, Mr Jefferay will embark on his third annual Tractor Trek from Bourke (NSW) to Birdsville (QLD), covering over 1240km to raise funds and awareness for the disease.
To date the Tractor Trek alone has raised over $90,000 for PCFA, with the goal to drastically increase fundraising in 2025.
To kick off Mr Jefferay’s fundraising, Tyrepower held a fundraising auction at the annual Tyrepower International Conference in Perth attended by store owners from Australia and New Zealand, raising over $150,000 for PCFA.
“My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and I've got a couple of Massey Ferguson tractors, so I thought it'd be cool to drive tractors from town to town in that back country for a good cause,” Mr Jefferay said.
“This year we will have eight blokes driving through remote dirt roads between Parkes and Birdsville at top speeds of 23km an hour.
“The Tractor Trek creates a strong talking point in the regional communities that we pass through and creates much needed awareness about prostate cancer and early detection.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far and look forward to hitting the road once again between August 11-22.”
Mr Smith congratulated Mr Jefferay on his efforts and said awareness of early detection was crucial to the partnership.
“A PSA test is just a simple blood test. It takes a shorter amount of time than changing a spare tyre, and it can save your life,” he said.
“You don’t have a spare life like you have a spare tyre, so every man out there should be proactive about prostate cancer to help detect it early.”
PCFA CEO Anne Savage commended Tyrepower for raising life-saving funds to help men improve their health and wellbeing.
“We are extremely proud of our long-lasting partnership with Tyrepower and the massive difference it continues to make,” Ms Savage said.
“Above and beyond this incredible achievement of raising $1.3 million, the efforts of their staff, like Richard, go a long way to promoting prostate cancer awareness and getting the conversation started about early detection.
“Tyrepower plays a pivotal role in driving forward research and improving survival outcomes for the 1 in 5 Australian men who are likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
“Together we are building a future free from prostate cancer.”
For more information about PCFA and prostate cancer, visit www.pcfa.org.au or phone 1800 22 00 99 to speak with a Specialist Nurse.
