This is an amazing amount of money that will enable Fighting Chance to create a huge number of opportunities for young adults with a disability and take the number of people FC care for from 40 to 120!
In 2014, we raised $345,000 so in only 2 short year we have raised over a $750,000 and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support, donations and goodwill, as you have certainly helped us to make a difference
Best regards,
Glenn
Check out Fighting Chance COO Jordan O’Reilly discussing how your donations will make a difference at
March 2015: KONA Group helps raise $452,000 for disabled young Australians
On March the 8th, after 9 days in the saddle, we finally rode across the finish line in Sydney to be greeted by family, friends, the young disabled people and staff from Fighting Chance, Members of Parliament and sponsors
It had been a marvelous week where we had averaged over 120 kms a day and battled with very sore backsides, headwinds, high and low temperatures, huge trucks and grey nomads puling caravans, potholes, flat tyres and a multitude of other daily challenges
However this was all worthwhile as last week the final numbers came in and with the assistance of a vast array of contacts, colleagues and friends we’ve raised an incredible $452,905 through the Tour.
This is an amazing amount of money that will enable Fighting Chance to create a huge number of opportunities for young adults with a disability and take the number of people FC care for from 40 to 120!
In 2014, we raised $345,000 so in only 2 short year we have raised over a $750,000 and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support, donations and goodwill, as you have certainly helped us to make a difference
Best regards,
Glenn
Check out Fighting Chance COO Jordan O’Reilly discussing how your donations will make a difference at
This is an amazing amount of money that will enable Fighting Chance to create a huge number of opportunities for young adults with a disability and take the number of people FC care for from 40 to 120!
In 2014, we raised $345,000 so in only 2 short year we have raised over a $750,000 and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support, donations and goodwill, as you have certainly helped us to make a difference
Best regards,
Glenn
Check out Fighting Chance COO Jordan O’Reilly discussing how your donations will make a difference at
For more information on Fighting Chance please check out 
Newcastle held a few surprises, over the hill to Bar Beach and onto Merewether. The need to concentrate was paramount as walking obstacles proved highly distracting. Just about as distracting as Byron Bay!! Onwards – the beautiful Fernleigh bike path for 20kms before making Blue Wren Drive to Elizabeth Bay. A significant milestone of 1,000 kms pedalled and the whisper came through that the fundraising target had been achieved. A very satisfying stop for lunch at Lizzies of Elizabeth Bay.
You will notice my bike in this photo. From a distance it looks like an impressive Ironman Time Trial bike, however after 1,100 kms up close it rattles and squeaks and clearly it is in need of a new ‘engine’.
After this event, in 8 weeks time it will be responsible for carrying me 180 kms in the Australian Ironman at Port Macquarie. One posed the question as to who rattles and squeaks the most – Bike or Rider???
The afternoon concluded with one more flat tyre for Peter E, this time a wheel replacement was in order and on we rolled into The Entrance and a private awards ceremony. Not before one last post ride rehydration session.
Start of day 10 came with a beautiful sunrise and 6.30am departure for the last time… This was to be a day of reflection, taking it all in and thinking about what we had achieved.
Strict ride instructions were issued, “Stay tight boys, keep the PODs together, lets get home safely… Did Pod One listen or was this one last chance for a 33kmph pedal…
39kms to Ettalong for the Ferry and our last bakery stop.
Off the ferry on to the Palm Beach route… this is training territory…. Newport Hill – Easy!…
A stop off at Mona Vale Quality Meats for Rod and Steve to meet family and friends, then into Narrabeen to Tim’s house and a wonderful photo with his daughter Ashleigh. The inspiration behind Tim which led to this great event
We are all getting very excited…
Back on the training route to South Steyn Surf Club and the Group MANLY Photo to bookend the trip… we had made it! Manly to Manly…
Up Lauderdale Avenue to the Spit for a group photo and waiting for the word from Paul to roll down Battle Boulevarde over the Spit Bridge and into final 100 m and over the finish line.
Day 10 was a real mix of emotions – anticipation, satisfaction, accomplishment, relief, pride, gratitude, and a nagging sense of something between disappointment and loss from knowing that this journey was ending and that this group of 25 Fighting Chance 2014 team members would in all likelihood never be together again.
But the sweetest sensation for me was seeing the faces of my family and those of the Fighting Chance members who we were raising funds for as we pedalled into Mosman – pure joy!!!
I’m sure every one felt the same, one amazing crusade led by Tim, one fine pair of siblings leading Fighting Chance…
One final group photo and a lovely way to say good bye…
No more pedalling to do!!…..
STATISTICS
For Pod One things usually go according to plan, but today…. not quite. It started with the call to rollout at 6.00am and “where’s Eric?…” Not sure but it soon transpired that Eric was doing something that he should have done a little earlier… Out of the darkness looking quite embarrassed he appeared and 5 minutes later we were off… straight in to a lung busting hill We settled down to push some miles out of the days ride – into the single file pace line on the Pacific Highway, grinding hard, then bang!! Damo has punctured again… Not a great experience at 30kph
Puncture repaired off we hit a lengthy rise on the Highway… pace line pulling… Tim Smeallie doing email on his iPhone and woahhh!!! over the handle bars he goes Big Stevie G and Graeme just avoid riding over his bike and Tim himself…. We pick him up out of the roadside debris, dust him off, give him some HTFU tablets and establish nothing broken with bike or rider… That was a close call.. no more riding, listening to music and doing emails for Tim before we get back to Sydney. Today was turning into a real hard slog backing up from yesterday’s long 152kms pull into Taree.. All groups pressed on making serious dents in the schedule headed for Bulahdelah. Off the highway and onto Wooton Way and a very serious hill climb
One big hill was the warm up for the real thing, and then we charged into the segment known on Strava as Wooton Top Half…
A hard grind and over the summit and down into Bulahdelah nearly 2 hours ahead of schedule. So what did the boys do while they relaxed… Stevie G got a hair cut and manicure! I filled up on a veggie pie and Chad fell off his bike in a car park!!
Back on the bikes and 15kms of dirt track riding (NOT a great experience when you are riding a Triathlon Time Trial bike) to the Bombah Point Ferry and then 27kms into Tea Gardens for the ferry to Nelson Bay. Highlight of the trip for me was standing up in front of all passengers on the ferry and passing the hat round as the passengers donated to our great cause
To donate please go to 
Food of course is what gives us the fuel we need to pedal all day. Basically we eat as much of what we like, when we like and spend most of the ride munching on bananas, sports bars and gels, and Gatorade to keep our energy up
I also take natural supplements like 3Cordyceps (
Thanks again to those of you who have so generously donated.
One more request though…. can you please take a second or two to think of 2 or 3 people who you know who may be interested in following the Tour and connect them to the cause.
We really are working to try and raise awareness and support for Fighting Chance. Many thanks again!
Warm wishes from Scotts Head and more updates tomorrow……
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