The Hartley Cycle Challenge is a family affair and raises money for a great cause close to my heart

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. Almost thirty 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.

My son Miles was born on 31 July 2024 with a genetic condition known as Williams Syndrome. Unfortunately he passed away at 6 weeks of age. Had he have had the opportunity to outlive his parents as you wish for your children to do there's a good chance he would have required support from an organisation like Hartley. In the weeks preceding his death and following his diagnosis it gave me comfort knowing that Hartley Lifecare exists and that there are organisations that could support our son once we were no longer around. I have often though that I would like to one day ride the event with my children. I thought about how great it would be to do it in some capacity with Miles (maybe joining everyone's favourite team the tandems), raising money for an organisation that may one day support him in return. Unfortunately he is no longer with us but the drive to support Hartley and the important work that they do still is. Which is why this year I'm riding on the Smile for Miles team which is filled with his family and friends.

I've spent most of my year's riding at the Hartley Cycle Challenge on the BellchambersBarrett team. It would be remiss of me not to thank them for supporting me in getting a team in the event and for continuing to support the event even without me as a team member. It's given me great pride to work and ride for the BellchambersBarrett team.

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 eighth time I have participated as a rider on a Hartley Cycle Challenge 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. Hopefully, one day my daughter Marley will get to participate in her own way.

I feel like my time riding at the Hartley Cycle Challenge has now come full circle. The first year I participated in the event I rode for a team called "Team4MV" in honour of my late father. This year I'll be participating in honour and memory of my son Miles in the "Smile for Miles" team. I can't thank my team mates enough for participating, supporting me and Hartley Lifecare.

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.