Ricky Stuart, head coach of the Canberra Raiders, will ride across Canberra this weekend to raise awareness and support for autistic people and their families – like his own daughter, Emma.
The Ricky Stuart Foundation, together with Rapha Australia and Autism Awareness Australia, will bring their global autism awareness event, ride2raise, to Australia’s shores for the first time.
Fifty riders will cycle 220 km from Sydney to Canberra in one day for the cause. The riders will be supported by Rapha Australia and BMW Canberra.
The ride will conclude at Capital Brewing Co. for the finish line party, a free family event.
“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.,” Mr Stuart said.
“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.”
One in 70 Australians have autism. But, although the condition is widespread, 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 raise much needed funds to provide families with quality, free resources when they need them most.
Parents, families, and supporters from across the country will also Ride Their Own Way over that weekend. Cycle challenges have been set in workplaces, schools, gyms, and local parks — from 2km around the park to 200km via city routes around the country.
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.
Miranda Garnett, CEO of the Ricky Stuart Foundation, 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,” she said. “The ride provides the opportunity to not only challenge myself, but to uphold the commitment we make to families to advocate for better.”
Nicole Hurley, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at Autism Awareness Australia, is the mother of an autistic son.
“It’s a great opportunity to increase public understanding and perception about autism,” she said. “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.”
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
