Sunrise star Mark Beretta reveals heartbreaking reason behind his ‘brutal’ charity challenge: ‘It was pretty grim’

By KINTA WALSH-COTTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 10:16 BST, 30 May 2025 | Updated: 10:19 BST, 30 May 2025

Mark Beretta has revealed the heartbreaking reason he is prepping to ride a marathon in his 16th Tour de Cure this year.

The Sunrise star, 58, will bike a punishing 1,200kms from Airlie Beach to Port Douglas in Queensland over the course of eight days to raise money for cancer research.

On Friday, he said he participated in the annual charity ride in honour of his mother Joan and father David who were both diagnosed with cancer, reported PerthNow.

‘Two grand finals ago, we got a call to come home because dad’s in hospital. He had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in his chest. It was pretty grim,’ he said.

Mark went on to say his father thankfully went into remission after several rounds of treatment, but then the Beretta family was struck with tragedy again. 

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Mark Beretta, 58, has revealed the heartbreaking reason he is prepping to ride a marathon in his 16th Tour de Cure this year

Five years ago, his mother was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and is still fighting it to this day.

‘She’s still battling on. It’s tough. It’s good days and bad days. I always say we’ve got skin in the game,’ Mark said.

The TV star added he and his family are ‘always invested in better cures and better drugs for our loved ones’.

Mark will participate in the charity event alongside 200 other riders, visiting Townsville, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach and Cairns.

Olympians Chloe Hosking and Mack Horton, as well as Australian cycling royalty Richie Porte, will join Mark for the eight-day ride which will finish on June 6.

This year, Tour de Cure is aiming to break its own $21million fundraising record from last year, adding to the $145million already raised by the event since its 2007 debut.

Professionals from all walks of life, including soldiers, paramedics, policemen, doctors, and CEOs, come together to raise funds for the important cause.

Tour de Cure launched in 2007, with thousands of people participating each year by walking, running, riding, swimming and attending gala events.

On Friday, he said he participated in the annual charity ride in honour of his mother Joan and father David who were both diagnosed with cancer, reported PerthNow 

The charity has funded more than 1,198 cancer projects and contributed to nearly 200 world-class scientific cancer breakthroughs.

Mark has helped raise more than $70million for cancer through the annual Tour de Cure cycling marathon.

In 2022, he was awarded the Order of Australia, the country’s highest honour, for his work in charity and entertainment. 

The Sunrise sports reporter received the award alongside pop superstar Delta Goodrem in Sydney at Government House.

‘Humbled to receive my Order of Australia Medal amongst a group of amazing Australians,’ he wrote to Instagram at the time.

Mark also shared a photo of himself beaming with his medal as he posed with his parents, writing: ‘I had a very proud mum and dad.’ 

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Sunrise star Mark Beretta reveals heartbreaking reason behind his ‘brutal’ charity challenge: ‘It was pretty grim’

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