When former mountain bike champion Paul Van Der Ploeg's father collapsed last year, he jumped on his bike to try and make a difference.
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Now, the Mount Beauty athlete has made it his mission to raise awareness for cardiac arrhythmia.
Van Der Ploeg will leave Canberra on Saturday headed on a 1100km ride to Melbourne to raise funds for Paceline charity.
He will be among about 30 riders to roll through the North East, staying at Yackandandah, on Monday.
He said his dad, Gerry, was 68 when the collapse happened.
"I was overseas last year when dad collapsed from a cardiac arrhythmia, so I went in the ride last minute," Van Der Ploeg said.
"For years he ignored it which is a classic guy thing to do until it affects your life.
"It was pretty scary at the time because he was rushed to hospital in Albury.
"He's my dad and my role model.
“For him to be unhealthy and me being helpless on the other side of the world was tough.
"I thought the charity would be a good way to show support."
About 500,000 Australian's live with an irregular heartbeat known as cardiac arrhythmia.
One in five with the condition are unaware they have it putting them at risk of stroke or heart attack.
Mr Van Der Ploeg said of more concern is the condition can happen to people who you'd least expect.
"My dad is active on the bike, walking the dog or skiing and he went from being super active to being restricted due to arrhythmia.
"I've also had cycling friends who have it.
"It's a crazy thing and potentially cureable with the right research and study, but it doesn't get much funding."
The ride comes after Paceline launched a new research campaign on Friday which calls on Australians living with an irregular heartbeat to donate blood.
The blood will be stored in a biobank and used to investigate genetic causes of the condition and test new treatments.
Those who wish to donate or get involved should visit www.paceline.com.au.
