May 25 - A team of 60 cyclists, including Australian Paralympic champion Michael Milton, will roll into Warwick on Saturday (May 29).

The ride is part of the inaugural Bottlemart Midi-Smiddy - a 560km, three-day cycle around South-East Queensland, raising funds for cancer research.

"We've enjoyed our training weekends to Warwick each year so we decided it was time to put on a new charity cycle, which includes Warwick as an overnight stay," ride founder Mark Smoothy said.

"This is a great opportunity to build a stronger relationship with the Warwick community and take the Smiddy experience further, bringing new riders into the Smiling for Smiddy family and increasing the contribution to world-class research at the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI).

"It will be physically and mentally tough for our team of cyclists, but the memory of losing family and friends, like Adam Smiddy, to this devastating disease inspires the team and I hope encourages others to participate now we have a shorter ride."

Since 2006, Smiling for Smiddy has raised more than $1.1 million with funds supporting the MMRI.

Smiling for Smiddy supports three world-class research projects at the Mater - prostate cancer research, melanoma drug trials, and a pilot study into complementary therapies to improve quality of life for cancer patients.

Locals have the chance to enjoy a hearty dinner with the Smiling for Smiddy cyclists and listen to renowned Paralympian, Olympian and motivational speaker Michael Milton at a fundraising dinner to be held on Saturday (May 29) at the Warwick Senior Citizens Centre. (The End)