As the Bowral Classic date quickly approaches we here at the Bowral Classic HQ think it’s a great time to feature some of the top fundraisers from the ‘You Choose, You Decide’ fundraising initiative.
This week we feature Stuart Knight who has raised $1,207.90 for the Ronald McDonald House thanks to his generous family, friends and colleagues. Well done Stu, keep up the great effort.
“When my son was born I weighed nearly 120kg. I was a classic couch potato, who ate and drank too much. I had my doctor telling me for some time that I was putting my health at risk and needed to change. Then along came my son and I realised that if I wanted to be around for a long time to see him grow up I needed to do something, so I got a bike for my 30th birthday to lose some weight.
A strange thing happened, I fell in love with cycling and everything that goes with it. Now 4 years on and 40kg lighter I am a fit and healthy adult with a long future ahead. So I changed my life, good for me, but what can I do with that to help others?
I decided that given the opportunity I would do charity rides and support worthy causes, particularly around health and children. Each year I pick an event and a charity and off I go. When the Inaugural Bowral Classic came up I thought, “that sounds like a great challenge” so I was on board, then finding you could pick your own charity I jumped straight to Ronald McDonald House.
A couple of years ago my wife miscarried and we spent time in the hospital in a ward next to Ronald McDonald House while she was being treated. I got to meet several parents and children who were staying there and it really put a face on not just the pain that many of them were going through, but how grateful they were that a service like Ronald McDonald House existed. Running an operation like that costs a lot of money and I really would like to see it supported.
So far, my main supporters have been my ever generous family, friends and work colleagues. I have been blown away by the generosity of people around me to get to this point so quickly and a long way out from the event. I have now started to plan ahead for some fund raising events and have a lot of support. The Corner Café in Barton next to where I work is amazing, offering to have a donation box on their counter for me and of course keep me fuelled with the caffeine that is so important during training!
I am also in touch with Ronald McDonald House to come up with some other ideas for theme days and the like as the day approaches.
Since I signed up to ride, I have convinced a couple of my buddies to jump on board, not just for the challenge of riding the distance and the climbs but the option to choose their own charity for the event. It is a great innovation by the Bowral Classic team, one that is really popular with people I have talked too.
As far as training, it’s all about time in the saddle at this stage. I spend a bit of time on the fringes of the local racing scene. I’m currently racing the Onya Bike Canberra Time Trial series and I’m leading the points series for my grade so far, there is also the Open Races for the National Capital Tour in Canberra in September that coincide with the National Road Series Event.
I have to give a shout out to the boys at Onya Bike, always there to make sure the bike is the best condition it can be and trust me when it comes to racing I need all the help I can get!
Really looking forward to the big day, and hope to raise a load more money for Ronald McDonald House between now and then.”
A big thank you goes out to Stuart for the kind words. If you would like to support Stu, head to his fundraising page here to help him reach his goal of $1,500: bowralclassic.gofundraise.com.au/page/StuartKnight
