Rider Profiles

2023 RIDE FOR SICK KIDS RIDER & CREW PROFILES

A big thank you to all our dedicated riders and support crew for joining this year's Ride for Sick Kids.  Because of you, we can help keep families close when they need it most.

ROSS BINGHAM OAM - CEO RHMC NORTHERN NSW

I love that we ride through the towns that people live in that use our Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreat and Learning Program. The camaraderie of the team of riders and support crew is something that you don’t experience anywhere else. The money that we raise is significant and makes a huge difference to our programs and what we can do for children and their families. It forces me to stay fit through winter! I love it.

BRETT HADLEY - GIANT NEWCASTLE

I had my first race at age 9, and haven’t stopped. I enjoy racing, riding in general, and assisting new riders to understand technique and bunch craft. I keep coming back year after year knowing that we make a difference. We meet with families whose lives have been turned upside down and hear their stories first hand, how Ronald McDonald House kept them together as a family unit, helped to take a lot of the cost and stress out of a bad situation, by providing the families a home away from home! When the first Ride started 18 years ago, I had not had children at that point. I am now the father of two happy, healthy kids and the Ride has taken on another dimension.

TODD BACON - COLLABORATIVE CONSTRUCTION

Todd is a married father of 4 who runs a commercial construction company and tries to squeeze in time for riding wherever possible. When he was younger Todd was a keen rider who raced in numerous events, however, after getting married, children & a career, time for cycling disappeared & Todd spent 15 years off the bike. In recent years he has now found time to ride again and has seen the Ronald McDonald House Ride for Sick Kids as a challenge and great chance to get back into cycling again.

IVOR THOMAS - IVOR THOMAS PROPERTY - MID COAST BUYERS AGENT

I first joined the Ride for Sick Kids back in 2018 and have been on every Ride since.  Coming from Taree many families in my region utilise the services RMHC Northern NSW offer and I wanted to do something more the help impact families. It’s such a rewarding week cycling with a great group of people and meeting some of the families that are supported. It’s a great reminder of how fortunate I am to have 3 healthy kids and how much RMHC is needed in our region.

BILL COX - RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER

I have been on every ride since it started in 2005. I became involved as I have had family members use Ronald McDonald House and saw just how much it meant to them to have the support of this wonderful organisation. I have ridden every day of every ride and love being able to contribute while spending time with a great group of like minded people. Being able to combine my passion for cycling with fundraising for a fantastic cause is an important week each year.

ANDREW ROSEWORNE - MCDONALD'S LICENSEE - NEWCASTLE

I have worked for McDonald's for over 25 years, in 2018 I moved to Newcastle when I was given the opportunity to purchase the Hexham & Salamander Bay restaurants. I've had a long connection with RMHC and the Newcastle House completing the RFSK in 2013. I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge in 2022 where I hope the team can raise more much-needed funds to help keep families together when they have a seriously ill or injured child.   

SAM CASHMAN - PROJECT MANAGER - HWB

I've been cycling for 15 years and first joined the Ride for Sick Kids in 2018 at the suggestion of a friend and as my way of making a difference for families.  I feel privileged to be part of the group of riders who are all passionate about making a difference for sick kids and their families.  One of the greatest things about the week is meeting some of the families who need the support of RMHC Northern NSW and seeing how much it means to them to have access to it.

DAVID WOODS - DIRECTOR - D.WOODS ACCOUNTING

Part of the Active Accounting Group

My passion lies in helping others. Through my profession as an Accountant helping businesses to achieve long-term goals and drive success, but also in supporting the community and those in need. I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge and raising the vital funds needed for RMHC Northern NSW to continue to help families with seriously ill or injured children.

DAVID VIRTUE

As a father of 4 children I understand the importance of family staying together during hard times - that's why I am joining the ride.

Together we aim to raise $200,000 to help sick kids and their families. My aim is to raise $2,600 which will provide 20 nights accomodation for families.

Thank you for your support.

JAMES MONTECILLO - AMAZON

James is grateful to be joining the Ride for Sick Kids in 2023 to help raise funds to support sick kids and their families.  An Avid cyclist and member of Triathlon Australia and the FILOZ Club, James is no stranger to clocking up the Kilometres on the weekends and so is looking forward to the challenge of 500km over 5 days.

LIAM IRONS - AMAZON

Liam is a big fan of cycling and excited to be joining the Ride for Sick Kids and giving back to those families that need the support of RMHC.

GREG HARDES - HARDES AND ASSOCIATES

I cant think of a better cause to support or a better way to spend a week than cycling to help sick kids and their families who need Ronald McDonald House.

DON HUDSON

My second full ride and after hearing the stories of the children and their families first hand during last years ride I knew it was something I wanted to do again this year. It is such a worthy cause and makes a huge difference to those families that have sick kids and need accommodation whilst their child is in hospital.

NIGEL PERRY

I have been cycling for many years , last year I did the full ride from Inverell to Newcastle and enjoyed a very well organised and safe ride with some wonderful people, meeting some of the people along the way that RMH has helped was very rewarding and well worth all the riders efforts . Hopefully I can help raise some funds again this year to help some Families and kids who need our help.

CRAIG EVANS

Up until last year I was a McDonald’s Licensee for 16 years and a 32 year veteran of the McDonald’s System.

Over that time, I have had a very close relationship with RMHC and was a Board Member and Chairman of the RMHC Forster Family Retreat between 2004 and 2014.

I have been involved with RFSK on and off since 2008, it’s a great week with like-minded individuals spreading the word regarding everything that RMHC does for sick children and their families, as well as raising much needed funds to help the charity continue its important work.

DARREN TOWILL

I am excited and pleased to be involved in my very first RMHC ride for 2023. I know first hand on the great work that this charity does, when my  daughter Mackenzie was  born with a hole in her heart, the care and support from the services of Ronald McDonald was so supportive and helpful through the whole situation with a positive outcome for my family.

STEPHEN DOVEY - UGL

Stephen first joined the Ride for Sick Kids in 2018 and had been clocking up the K's for sick kids each year. Some may see riding over 500km as daunting yet it will be easy in comparison to what many sick kids and their families have to do each and every day. 

Connect With Us
Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW

9 Griffiths Road, New Lambton, NSW Australia

(02) 4957 7783

info.nnsw@rmhc.org.au