NEM steps in to support mountain ride for children's cancer ward
New England Mutual is providing $500 to support a bike ride from Sydney to Armidale to raise money for the Centre for Children's Cancer & Blood Disorders at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.
CEO Kevin Dupé said the Hospital is renowned for the outstanding services it offers to parents and children confronting serious illness, particularly those from regional areas.
Damien Wood and Rolfe Kolbe will ride their mountain bikes from the Hospital on Saturday September 25 and arrive in Armidale six days later for a big reception and fundraiser at the Armidale Bowling Club the following Friday, October 1.
The ride has special meaning for Damian and his wife Rebecca who spent nine months in the Hospital last year while their daughter Tessa successfully battled Leukemia but ultimately lost the fight to a rare complication that developed just before she was due to return to Armidale.
She was just 19 months old when she died. During her illness her family all decamped to Sydney to be with her 24/7. Her mother lived with her at the Hospital and her father and two siblings James and Roie stayed at Ronald McDonald House.
"The ride is a tribute to Tessa and to the Hospital which supported her and her family through this long and heartbreaking illness," Mr Dupé.
"I would encourage our community to support this fundraiser for the Centre which has demonstrated such strong and compassionate care for the Wood family and many other families in our region who have to travel so far from home for specialised treatment."
Ms Wood said Tessa had been diagnosed with Leukemia when she was only 10 months old. Her brother James was nine and sister Roie three at the time The family spent their time together at the Centre where James was able to continue his schooling.
"The staff were so supportive and became very attached to Tessa," Ms Wood said. "I think the kids regarded the hospital as home, we were there so long.
"Damian's ride is a way of honouring Tessa's memory, thanking the Hospital and its wonderful staff and also to ensure that other country families can receive the same great support we did."
Those wanting to donate to the appeal can visit the website www.lifecyclists.com or the Armidale branch of New England Mutual where a Lifecyclists account has been established. Members of the community are invited to attend the Welcome Fundraiser at the Armidale Bowling Club on Friday, October 1 at 6pm where Tex Message will perform and there will be a "huge auction".
Below: Damian Wood with the mountain bike he will ride from Sydney to Armidale, New England Mutual CEO Kevin Dupé and Rebecca Wood with James and Roie.
