ASBESTOSIS battler Ray Colbert received the last rites in January – yet he’s just piloted a wheelchair from Toowoomba to Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral to raise funds for research into the disease.
“I had bilateral pneumonia and was in Wesley Hospital when the last rites were administered,” the parishioner of St Matthew’s parish, Loganholme, said.
“But when I got to Heaven’s door, they said: ‘It’s not your turn yet. You’ve still got work to do.'”
Mr Colbert’s dedication to his task was evident when he rode into a triumphant welcome at the cathedral grounds on November 25.
Among those at the welcome were his grandchildren – Lucinda, Matthew and Emily Colbert – who were also involved in fundraising.
He then took part in an ecumenical memorial service at St Stephen’s for all those who have died from or who suffer asbestos-related disease.
Cathedral associate pastor Fr Bryan Roe officiated at the service along with Anglican Reverend Mary Roberts and Superintendent Minister Lyn Burden of the Albert Street Uniting Church.
State Education and Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick and State Member for Bulimba Di Farmer also attended.
Mr Colbert had been on the road for five days leading up to his arrival at the cathedral, meeting supporters in towns and suburbs including Grantham, Gatton, Laidley, Rosewood, Booval and Wacol.
He spoke of several close calls on the way including a near-rollover on a section of rutted footpath in Toowoomba and striking a bad pothole in Ipswich.
“This shattered a wheel bearing,” he said.
“The chair tipped forward and I thought I was going to kiss the footpath.
“However, fortunately it righted itself at the last moment.”
In 2002, Mr Colbert was diagnosed with asbestosis, a scarring or fibrosis of the lung tissue that occurs when the body’s own immune system fails to expel asbestos fibres.
He joined the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society in 2005 and has been an active member ever since.
Mr Colbert is the secretary and his wife Helen is president.
More than $60,000 has been raised through Mr Colbert’s wheelchair ride.
To donate visit www.raysride.com.au
