the Royal Far West’s Ride for Country Kids charity event which finishes in Cobar next
month.
Ten time Tour de France rider and top
sprinter, Mark Renshaw, will join 76 dedicated
cyclists as they ride and raise funds
for country kids.
The Royal Far West’s Ride for Country
Kids (which was postponed from last year due
to the COVID-19 pandemic) will head off
from Dubbo at the start of next month on a
400+km ride around the western region. The
ride finishes in Cobar, the birth place of the
Royal Far West.
A Bathurst local and father, Mark Renshaw
is all too aware of the challenges that country
communities can face in accessing vital developmental
and mental health services.
He also knows how Royal Far West’s support
can make a difference to the lives of
many kids and families.
As Ride Ambassador, Mark’s cyclingroyalty
profile will help the charity to raise
awareness and vital funds to support country
kids to access the health care they need to
reach their full potential.
“Coming from country NSW, I’m really
looking forward to being a part of the Ride for
Country Kids 2021 and partnering with Royal
Far West to support kids in rural and remote
areas to get the help they need,” Mark said.
In the last year, Royal Far West has seen a
significant increase in the demand for its services.
Currently 156 children from rural and remote
NSW (including Cobar) are waiting to
access the charity’s Paediatric Developmental
Program (PDP).
The program is designed for children with
complex developmental and mental health
challenges to stay for a week at Royal Far
West in Manly with their families.
Each child will have access to a multidisciplinary
team that includes a Child Psychiatrist,
Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational
Therapist, Social Worker, Dietician
and Oral Health Services to understand what
may be going on with the child from a developmental
and mental health perspective and
provide an assessment and pathway forward.
Royal Far West relies on funds raised from
donors and supporters from events such as the
Ride to help fund this program.
Raising $450,000 will help fund all 156
places on the PDP waitlist.
Royal Far West’s CEO Lindsay Cane AM
said they were thrilled to have a high-profile
cyclist like Mark joining the ride.
“Being hit with drought, bushfires, COVID-
19 and floods, country areas are doing it
tougher than ever, and more families and
communities are needing our help,” Ms Cane
said.
“All funds raised will support the developmental
and mental health of children and their
families in rural and remote communities.”
More information is available at:
www.rideforcountrykids.com.au
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