Meet our Riders

Ross Bingham OAM

CEO Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW

This will be my 22nd Ride for Sick Kids and I am incredibly grateful that the event that we started back in 2005 has continued to have a major impact on our charity and consequently supported 1000's of families with sick kids from across Northern NSW that need our Ronald McDonald Houses.

Being CEO of Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW but more importantly a Dad, and now a Pop, of healthy children and grandchildren, I realise how fortunate I am to live in Newcastle with the amazing John Hunter Children's Hospital just up the road. 

I am a casual cyclist at best but every winter I get on the bike to train for the Ride for Sick Kids and it has kept me relatively fit for the last 22 years. I am not a fan of hills however when I feel the pain coming and the challenge getting to my head I just think of the daily struggle and resilience that the hundreds of families and kids go through every day at the House and it inspires me to dig deeper.

So join me as we put in some effort to make a real difference for the kids and families of our region.

Kari Armitage - Managing Director - Quarry Mining

After supporting Ride for Sick Kids for many years through Quarry Mining, I'm excited to be getting on the bike as part of 'Team Quarry Mining' this year.

I've seen firsthand the incredible impact this Ride has for families with a seriously ill or injured child, and I'm proud to be part of a team that's been helping make that difference for so many years. I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge, meeting the families we're riding for, and doing my part to help ensure more families can stay together and receive the wrap-around support they need when it matters most.

Michael Bailey - Phoenix Engineering

Twenty years ago, my family experienced firsthand the support of Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW during one of the most challenging times in our lives. Having a place to stay close to our child gave us comfort, stability and the chance to focus on what mattered most—being together.

As we mark that milestone, I saw Ride for Sick Kids as the perfect opportunity to give back. It's my way of saying thank you for the support our family received and helping ensure other families can stay close to their seriously ill or injured child when they need it most.

I'm proud to be taking on this challenge, knowing that every kilometre helps make that promise possible for another family.

Cat Boorer

Ride for Sick Kids really resonated with me. As a school principal for the past 13 years, and a teacher for 10 years before that, I've seen firsthand the impact Ronald McDonald House has on families during some of their toughest moments.

Working alongside families who have relied on this support has reinforced just how important services like Ronald McDonald House are. I'm proud to be taking part in Ride for Sick Kids to help ensure more families can stay together when it matters most. I'm also excited to share this journey with my school community and help inspire the next generation to see the difference they can make by supporting others.

Bill Cox

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.

Sam Cashman - Hunter Water & Barge

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 Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW and seeing how much it means to them to have access to it.

Stephen Dovey

After first joining the ride in 2018, I'm excited to be taking on Ride for Sick Kids this year joining an incredible community of riders.

Knowing that every kilometre ridden helps provide families with a place to stay, practical support and a sense of comfort while their child receives hospital care is a powerful motivation. I'm proud to be part of this year's Ride and to play a small role in supporting families through some of the toughest times of their lives.

Greg Hardes

I can't 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.

Peter Haydon

I first joined the Ride for Sick Kids in 2018 to help raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW and make a difference for seriously ill or injured kids.

As an avid cyclist, getting on my bike is something I love doing and when we are clocking up the K's for sick kids - it means so much more. Just imagine how difficult it would be for families in these testing times to have a sick child who needs to be in Hospital. I can't wait to get back on the bike again with the team this year

Pete Hodgson - Quarry Mining

I am an avid cyclist and first joined the Ride for Sick Kids in 2020 as a Sponsor and also a rider over the 5 days.

I feel lucky to be a part of such a passionate group of riders, all raising much needed funds for Ronald McDonald House and ultimately making a difference for sick kids and their families.  

One of the highlights about RFSK is visiting the schools to talk to students about bike safety and meeting families along the way who have needed the support of Ronald McDonald House and hearing how much it means to them to have access to these services, it really helps ease the financial stress while they focus on their sick child.

Don Hudson

I’ve been a bike rider for as long as I can remember, my mum tells the story of pushing me up and down the footpath on a tricycle all hour of the day and evening when I was just a toddler, so I was always destined to take up bike riding as a recreational pursuit as well as a sport for many years.

This will be my fourth RFSK ride having been encouraged to join by some of the other riders when I retired in 2019 and started riding a lot more than I had been whilst working.

When you hear the stories of the children and their families first hand and what they go through it only wants you to do more to support such a worthy cause and one that makes such a difference for those families that need to stay at one of the Ronald McDonald Houses whilst their child is hospitalized. 

Brett Hyland

Over the past few years, riding has become something truly meaningful to me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this wonderful event that supports such an important and deserving charity.

Geoff Isaacs - TJL Business Advisors & Accountants

A late starter to the cycling world and a first-time participant in the Ride for Sick Kids. Having experienced the incredible support from Ronald McDonald House firsthand, the opportunity to give back and raise money for this amazing program is an absolute honour. I look forward to meeting some great people along the way who have given so much to families in their time of need.

Andrew Roseworne - McDonalds 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 Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW and the Newcastle House completing the my first Ride in 2013. I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge 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.   

Alix Sills

Rory Symonds

I have always been active and take enjoyment from exercise. Riding to support families who need it most is a privilege. Thinking of my two young daughters, I'm looking forward to riding and supporting  families in their times of need. 

Darren Towill

After first joining the ride in 2022, I'm excited to be back for the Ride For Sick Kids this year.  

My family experienced first hand the great work 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 House was so supportive and helpful through the whole situation, with a positive outcome for my family.

Martin White - Pacific Smiles

I'm Marty White, riding for the families of Ronald McDonald House Newcastle.

I can think of nothing more frightening than rushing my child to hospital. In that moment, I imagine a toothbrush is the last thing on your mind. Families arrive in crisis, not knowing if they'll be there for one night or twelve months.

As CFO of Pacific Smiles, I see how much oral health matters. Not just clinically, but as one of those small, grounding rituals that make life feel normal when everything else has fallen apart.

This year, we're providing toothbrush kits to families staying at the House. It's a small gesture, but for a parent who hasn't left their child's bedside in three days, I hope it means something.

I'm riding because these families deserve all the support we can give. However small, however practical. Riding a bike is nothing compared to what they go through.

David Woods - Active Accounting

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 Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW to continue to help families with seriously ill or injured children.