The Ricky Stuart Foundation, together with Rapha Australia & Autism Awareness Australia, are bringing their global autism awareness event, ride2raise, to our shores for the very first time.
The ride has attracted some of cycling’s biggest names, including former world tour rider, Mitchell Docker, elite Aussie cyclist Dan Bonello and Sydney Swans legend Ryan O’Keefe.
On the weekend of 8-9 October 2022 people from all over the country will be jumping on their bikes and riding to raise awareness and support for autistic people and their families.
“Like Simon Mottram, the founder and former chief of Rapha, we both have children with autism. We understand the importance of raising awareness and acceptance for autism. We’re both lucky enough to have public platforms which allow us to build community awareness and fundraise for better support, education and inclusion.” said Ricky Stuart.
“I’m riding in the inaugural ride2raise this October. I’ll be riding for my daughter Emma. As part of this ride, I encourage Canberrans to get out on their bikes on Saturday 8 October and join me as I ride from Lake Burley Griffin to Capital Brewing Co.”
50 riders will be cycling 220kms from Sydney to Canberra in one day in support of the cause. The riders will be supported by Rapha Australia and BMW Canberra, with the ride to conclude at Capital Brewing Co. for the finish line party, a free family event for locals.
Miranda Garnett is the CEO of The Ricky Stuart Foundation and is leading the charge for the foundation, riding the 220km and is the only woman riding the route.
“The foundation is committed to raising awareness and ensuring people with autism are included in the classroom, the workplace and our community. The ride provides the opportunity to not only challenge myself, but to uphold the commitment we make to families to advocate for better.”
Our hope is that parents, families and supporters from across the country will all be Riding Their Own Way over that weekend, with cycle challenges having been set in workplaces, schools, gyms and local parks. From 2kms around the park, to 200kms via city routes around the country, teams of people are getting behind the event to raise autism awareness.
Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at Autism Awareness Australia, and parent of an autistic son, Nicole Hurley, said “It’s a great opportunity to increase public understanding and perception about autism. There is often so much about autism that is misunderstood, and we hope the event will help create a more inclusive and accepting community for autistic people.”
In Australia, the autism prevalence rate is 1 in 70 people. But, despite being such a widespread condition, there’s an absence of quality, credible and independent information. The Ricky Stuart Foundation and Autism Awareness Australia firmly believe that the right information changes lives. ride2raise will see much needed funds raised going towards providing families with quality, free resources at a time when they need it most.
ride2raise is inspired by the UK’s Ambitious 220 ride, which was established by Rapha founder, Simon Mottram, who has an autistic son. “People with autism need huge amounts of support, and they are often terribly underfunded, so anything we can do to help is brilliant.”
Find out more about the event and sign up at https://www.ride2raise.com.au/home
