Australian Tour de France cyclist Mark Renshaw has signed on as RFCK 2021 Ambassador.
Ten time Tour de France rider, top sprinter and No 1 lead-out man for Mark Cavendish, Mark Renshaw will join 76 dedicated cyclists as they ride and raise funds for country kids in our annual Ride for Country Kids.
Starting on Sunday 2 May in Dubbo, the riders will cycle 400+km, visiting Narromine and Nyngan, and finishing on Tuesday 4 May in Cobar.
A Bathurst local and father, Mark is all too aware of the challenges that country communities can face to access vital developmental and mental health services, and of how Royal Far West’s support can make a difference to the lives of many kids and families.
As Ride Ambassador, Mark’s cycling-royalty 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.
Mark says, “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”.
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 are waiting to access our 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 family. 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.
Royal Far West says that raising $450,000 will help fund all 156 places on the PDP waitlist.
Royal Far West’s CEO Lindsay Cane AM says, “We’re thrilled to have such a high-profile cyclist as Mark to join our team to raise funds and awareness of the inequity country kids and families face in being able to access developmental and mental health services.
“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.
“Please get behind Mark and our riders and donate. All funds raised will support the developmental and mental health of children and their families in rural and remote communities”.