Hartley the organisation and the Hartley Cycle Challenge and my personal experience

Thursday 20th Jul

Hartley and my personal experience

Hartley (https://www.hartley.org.au/) is a Canberra-based not-for-profit established in 1962. They provide supported accommodation for people with a disability, their families and their carers, providing 24-hour respite care and specialised transport services.

My Mum is living with an acquired brain injury and impaired mobility and balance, disabilities she acquired in October 1995 after a drunk driver collided with her on her way home. She suffered multiple injuries including severe brain damage and fractures and was consequently in an induced coma for over a month. It took months to teach her basic things we take for granted like walking and talking. Over twenty years has passed since her accident and she still has short term memory issues - she remembers birthdates, prime ministers, old work colleagues, but not what she ate for breakfast, who called an hour ago or when she last went out. She requires 24/7 care, 365 days a year as she is unable to cook, cannot drive, cannot be left to answer unsolicited calls or door knockers etc.

Since the early 2000’s Hartley has provided 24/7 care for my mum and without it, my family would not be able to live our lives the way we do today. The staff that look after her provide her with opportunities to live a meaningful life safely, meaning we can enjoy spending time with her every week and for Mother’s Days, birthdays, Christmas’ etc. Without Hartley, my life would not be the same.

The Hartley Cycle Challenge and my families participation

The Hartley Cycle Challenge is an event my family has been involved with throughout the years. My father, before he died in 2010, was heavily involved riding in the event seven times. My father’s efforts in championing the event led to multiple sponsorships and the involvement of people from a wide variety of backgrounds. As a result, Hartley named a perpetual award after him that is handed out each year at the event.

This will be the sixth time I have participated as a rider on a Hartley Cycle Challenge team. It's the fifth time my workplace, BellchambersBarrett, have sponsored a team. My sister and wife have also helped support the event as crew members for teams. My mother has previously acted as the ambassador of the Hartley Cycle Challenge and handed out the Milton Valentine award to its recipient.

The Hartley Cycle Challenge is a major fundraiser for an organisation that I can attest does important work in the Canberra community. Any donations, big or small, would be most welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

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