Tamworth boy’s ride comes full circle for Ronald McDonald House

A Tamworth boy whose family once relied on Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW is now getting on his bike to help other families in the same situation.

Reuben, from Tamworth, is taking part in this year’s Ride for Sick Kids Community Ride, which runs throughout August. The event brings together riders, McDonald’s restaurants, schools, businesses and local communities to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW.

The cause has a deeply personal meaning for Reuben’s family. When his little brother Huxley was born at just 29 weeks, he spent two months receiving specialist care in Newcastle, hundreds of kilometres from the family’s home in Tamworth.

While mum Alison stayed close to Huxley at Ronald McDonald House, six-year-old Reuben and his older brother Cooper remained at home for school with their dad, William. On weekends and during school holidays, Ronald McDonald House gave the family somewhere to come back together.

Now Reuben is giving back by taking part in the Community Ride and fundraising to help other families facing similar circumstances.

“We know firsthand how important Ronald McDonald House is for families going through tough times,” Reuben said.

“This is my way of saying thank you and helping make sure other families can have that same support when they need it,” Reuben said.

Now in its 22nd year, Ride for Sick Kids lets people of all ages and abilities join the Community Ride throughout August, choosing their own distance and riding wherever suits them while raising funds for families with sick kids.

The Community Ride runs alongside the annual Ride for Sick Kids road ride, which will see a team of dedicated cyclists travel more than 500 kilometres from Glen Innes to Newcastle from Tuesday, 25 August to Saturday, 29 August.

The road ride will pass through several New England towns along the way, including a school visit and bike giveaway at Glen Innes Public School on Tuesday, 25 August, a breakfast stop at McDonald’s Armidale on Wednesday, 26 August, and a visit to riders at Tamworth Ronald McDonald House that afternoon, where riders will meet the Smith family, who have a long-standing connection with the House.

Riders will also visit Scone Public School on Friday, 28 August, for a bike safety talk and giveaway, before finishing the journey at Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle on Saturday, 29 August.

Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW Chief Executive Officer Ross Bingham OAM said stories like Reuben’s showed the lasting impact of community support.

“Ride for Sick Kids has always been about people coming together for families. To see someone like Reuben, whose own family has experienced that support, now choosing to give back is incredibly special,” Mr Bingham said.

“You don’t need to ride 500 kilometres to make a difference. The Community Ride gives everyone the opportunity to be part of Ride for Sick Kids and help families stay together and close to their child’s care,” Mr Bingham said.

Last year, more than 6,600 families turned to Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW for support through its Houses, Family Rooms, Family Hub, Family Retreat and Learning Program. This year’s Ride for Sick Kids aims to provide more than 1,605 nights of support for families.

People can also support the cause by purchasing a $2 Charity Bike at participating McDonald’s restaurants across Northern NSW and the Central Coast throughout August, or by supporting one of the riders.

“You don’t need to ride 500 kilometres to make a difference. The Community Ride gives everyone the opportunity to be part of Ride for Sick Kids and help families stay together and close to their child’s care,” Mr Bingham said.