Graham Manou is wicket-keeper of the West End Redbacks, South Australia’s first-class cricket team. Graham is a fit, healthy 29-year-old who is reknowned for his athleticism on the field, but what many do not know is that Graham has lived his life with a hole in his heart – a Ventricular Sepital Defect. 

The popular, talented cricketer, with the nickname of Choc, has played cricket at the first-class level for 11 years, and spends his playing days diving around behind the wickets catching balls – probably not the behaviour one would expect from someone with an enlarged heart!

At the age of 11, Graham realised that something was not quite right with his body, having experienced occasional chest pains, like “someone was digging at my chest with a dessert spoon.”  A visit to the pediatrician soon diagnosed his heart condition. 

Although mostly unaffected by the defect, the seriousness hit home when wanting to apply for his diving licence.  As a Marine Biology student, Graham has a passion for diving, and a few years ago was told that because of his heart condition he couldn’t dive – not without having open-heart surgery to repair the hole.  Having chosen to not have the surgery for now, Graham is willing to trade his love of diving for all of the other activities he can still enjoy. 

Graham realises he is lucky and knows he is a lot more fortunate than others – that is why he has chosen to help raise awareness about similar and other heart conditions.

Graham made it a mission some years ago to help out South Australian kids who aren't as fortunate. This is his third ride is as many years, and no doubt his biggest challenge yet!

Get behind Graham and his mates and help raise money for a very worthy cause.