I'm raising funds for people with dementia!
I'm raising funds for people with dementia and those who support them.
But I need your help! Please make a donation to support my efforts and help me reach my goal to beat dementia.
A small group of mates and I will be cycling 1000km's in 6 days from coastal Terrigal to rural Deniliquin, the home town and resting place of my grandad Jim. Amongst others, we are riding in honour of Jim who was a keen cyclist and did many charity rides himself.
All funds raised will support the work of Dementia Australia to provide vital support services for people living with dementia, their families and carers. These services include counselling, support groups, education and training.
Thank you for your support.
My Achievements
Received first donation
Added a profile photo
Reached fundraising target
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My Updates
Reflections on Coast to Country Charity Ride
Wednesday 5th OctAs I reminisce over the 7 days of the ‘Coast to Country’ charity bike ride, it is hard to describe just what an awesome experience it was. All of my expectations were exceeded and I have to say it was one of the best weeks of my life. It was so different from the normal rhythm and routine of life, being both highly challenging and personally rewarding. There have been multiple outcomes achieved including:
- A realised dream,
- A heightened awareness of and over $21,000 funds donated to Dementia Australia,
- Honouring carers and the lives of particular individuals affected by Dementia,
- Enriched friendships and,
- Countless memories made along the way.
The ride itself was most enjoyable. From endless canary yellow canola fields to emerald green wheat crops, contrasted with dark threatening clouds that at times delivered and other times simply threatened. The outdoor elements included climbs and ascents, long flats, headwinds, tailwinds, sunshine and pouring rain. There were potholes, debris, tyre waste and glass to be avoided. The favourable conditions were delightful and the challenging conditions developed mental toughness, bravery and courage, enabling me to overcome and conquer certain fears I held.
I’m astonished at how an 8kg structure of carbon fibre, metal and rubber, could carry a 78kg adult 1030km’s without a single puncture! There were numerous times when like a child I just enjoyed the pure joy and freedom of simply riding a bicycle. Cycling is such a wonderful way to exercise, boost your mood and engage with the natural landscape. I highly recommend it no matter what your age.
It was very special to have my 10 year old son Andrew join us for small segments of each days ride either at the start, finish or sometimes both. It was great to see the other riders embrace him and consider his safety. This was an experience I had received at his age both with my own Dad, Ric and Granddad, Jim and was keen for him to experience likewise. Who knows what seeds are now planted in his heart and mind?
All along I knew the face of my Grandmother Judy Small would be the finish line and as I rolled into Navorina Nursing home, leaning over my bike I gave her a kiss and a hug and felt like I was presenting her with a gift. A bit like a gift you’ve put a lot of thought into and know the recipient will be really grateful for.
It was eye opening to learn that Dementia is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of death for women. My personal connections aside, discovering this fact made me even more determined to want to contribute in some small way towards research and care efforts. The team and I were blown away at how many people dug deep and gave from their abundance or scarcity to support the cause. From a small girl at Hungry Jacks in Sydney, a happenstance meeting with a painter at Cootamundra Heritage Hotel to a bar full of locals at Jerilderie, so many people’s lives had in some way intersected with Dementia and it was their desire to contribute to the cause.
We had a terrific team that all worked so well together. The cyclists functioned as a single unit, challenging and supporting each other. In spite of our varied levels of fitness no one ever lagged or slowed the group down, we each rose to the occasion and were able to move cooperatively more often than not at a higher average speed than I’d expected.
The support crew were sensational, providing much needed encouragement, support, refuelling breaks and social media coverage. They took any stress out of the days logistics and allowed the riders to concentrate on their job of peddling.
The whole C2C project taught me that leadership is not about the leader but the cause and the team you have around you. Sure, I had a vision, goal and dream to see this ride become a reality, and that certainly required a lot of organisation, administration and oversight, which was all necessary and important. However, the goal was only accomplished and achieved through the combined effort of the team. I could never have achieved what I did alone. I am so grateful to the team we had and acknowledge the valuable role they each played including cyclists: Mark Iveson, Mark Lee, Josh Edwards, Chris Weenink, Scott Hyland and support crew: Bron Small, Heidi Plentiger-Iveson, Mark Dunlop, Greg Sleep and Troy Kastelan.
Coast to Country was an endeavour I bathed in prayer, and as I survey the week that was, I can see the fingerprints of God all over it including:
- The success of the mission to raise awareness and in excess of $20k for Dementia Australia,
- The kindness, hospitality and generosity of people we were hosted by and met along the way,
- Daily answered prayers for safety and protection,
- A unified and cooperative team that worked so well together,
- Favourable media coverage and opportunities to spread the word on Coast FM, NBN News, ABC Radio Central Coast, ABC Radio Central West, The Deni Pastoral Times,
- The beauty of creation we witnessed along the highways and byways of NSW
I have every confidence that this won’t be the last big cycling challenge I undertake for an important cause.
Thank you to my Supporters
$52.75
Ian And Kelly Costello
$1.1k
C2c Fundraising Dinner
$350
Jerilderie Sports Club
$25
Ruth Beatty
$31.65
Jenny And Greg Walker
Well done to all
$20
Anna Schutz
Loose change donations from patients at central coast neurosciences. Love your work Joel!
$10
Sandra Filardo
$100
Andreas Start
Top effort Joel and support team. Epic ride showing the grace and goodness of our Almighty God.
$200
Edward River Council
Congratulations Joel on successfully completing your ride - well done!
$73.85
Craig Rangott
Congrats on such an awesome effort Joel!
$55
Bernie Pannell
Awesome effort Joel & the whole team! Well done!
$316.50
Geoff Small
Fantastic effort - both the rise and fundraising effort! Well done to all involved!
$200
Isaac Feeney
Great work Joel and team!
$55
Graham & Hazel Shute
In memory of Rudi Rynsbergen
$369.25
Matt, Sheryl, Josh, Chloe & Brad Edwards
Well done you made. Congrats to our boy Josh and all the team. Thanks for riding for our dad and pop Peter Lemay. Extremely proud of what you have achieved.
$100
Andrew & Kathy Smith
Congratulations Joel and team, well done. A fantastic effort of riding and raising funds for such a worthy cause.
$520
Jenny Ling
Well done , Joel& C&C team!! What a great effort for a great cause !!
$200
Annette Howard
In memory of Dr Lex from Annette Howard of Wagga Wagga Baptist Church who kindly accommodated Mark Lee & Josh Edwards
$3.02k
Joel Small
C2C Fundraising Dinner Silent Auction
$420
Kay Hyland
An amazing effort. Well done to you all.
$211
Travis Ryan
Phenomenal heart, effort and cause Joel. Congrats on knocking out the 1000kms!! May these funds be a true blessing to those living with or supporting those living with dementia.
$105.50
Andrea Jamieson
Great cause Joel and team! You’ve done an amazing job! Best wishes, the Jamieson’s. Xx
$150
Robyn Willis
Congratulations to Joel & team for this amazing effort & contribution to Dementia Australia. Dad would be so proud of you all & would have been peddling alongside you.
$52.75
Kay Plentinger
Go Marky
$100
Narelle Coles
Well done riders and support crew.. donation made in memory of our mum, Shirley who had a slow dementia over 12years till 2021 aged 92..
$211
Ian And Roslyn Mctaggart
Well done Joel and team.
$31.65
Serena Richardson
Push on to Deni, good luck your doing a great thing.
$105.50
Michelle Aguilar
Well done Mark Lee, Joel and team! Love to see it.
$1,000
John Cowin
Donating on behalf of Greg Sleep of Hungry Jack's.
$105.50
Lois Parsons
A great cause. Ride well and be safe. God bless all you do in His Name and in memory of loved ones.
$52.75
Deb Goode
$369.25
R & A Small
A bit more encouragement toward a great cause and terrific effort by all involved.
$31.65
Kyle Fletcher
Epic job Joel and everyone involved! 🙌
$26.38
Karen, Toby & Keira
$31.65
Anonymous
Well done guys - enjoy the break at Yass.
$100
Lynne Duffy
$31.65
Karen Bracken
Well done Joel, Mark and team!
$263.75
Bob Miller
fantastic effort Joel and team. Stay safe and keep up the tradition your GrandFather Jim set - a huge inspiration!
$200
Edward River Council
$105.50
Carol
In memory of my Rudi Another one for good measure!! Love you and So thankful for your hard work and thoughtfulness
$31.65
Adam Kimberley
Love your work Josh, keep it going buddy!
$52.75
Highlands Cleaning & Maintenance
Thank you Joel. My father is in early stages of Dementia. You are an inspiration!! Best wishes Elle
$158.25
Annette Mary Small
Payment/donation for Athletes Foot voucher from Charity Auction
$55
Kim-cherie Davidson
To Joel and the team, this is amazing! On the days it is tough, remember why and who you are doing it for. Keep riding with your hearts ❤️
$58.03
Julian Dent
Great work Joel! Impressive initiative! Good luck on the ride now!
$105.50
Elise And Richard Day
$31.65
Matthew Pearce
Good luck Joel, Josh and others. Stay safe on the ride.
$31.65
Maxine Dale
Well done Joel - a great effort - hope it all goes well on the ride👍
$105.50
Rob
You guys are legends doing an amazing thing for an amazing cause. Mega kudos 🤙🤙
$15.83
Neil M Connor
$105.50
Rob & Meagan Lemay
$61.22
The Becketts
Wishing you all the best for a safe ride and memorable break with family and friends. A special mention for the youngest member of your team… well done Andrew!
$58.03
Shanais Staneke
Go Josh! You’re awesome. Cheering you on for this great cause!
$105.50
Andriette Avenant
Wishing you a safe trip Joel and Andrew, great cause!!
$52.75
Lamberts
Great cause, good luck! From the Lamberts
$31.65
Lara
$52.75
Chris Hogben
$55
Carla Turner
Praying that you have a safe ride! Thank you for participating in this great cause.
$20
Shannan G
$50
Peter And Pat Lemay
In support of our grandson Josh!
$50
Brendan Wood
Great work Joel, an inspiration!
$500
Tasman Armytage
Amazing work Joel. Have a great ride.
$1.02k
Julie Morona
Joel & team this is so inspiring what you are doing congratulations on this massive effort. This donation is in memory of my very special Dad, Jim Small he would have been 89 today. xx
$105.50
Geleris Family
All the best with the fund raiser Joel. With love from the Geleris family.
$50
Skye Sadler
Thank you for being such a wonderful, giving, caring person. Best wishes on your ride. xxx
$31.65
Rick Garside
Great cause, we’ll shiny you all a safe ride.
$105.50
Sharon Blair
All the best, Joel! Bless you for doing this. Stay safe.
$378
Currey & Co.
Great work Joel!! Big effort for you and the family to get this road up and running
$100
Nicola Woolley
Incredible challenge for a very worthy cause. Very inspirational Joel. Wishing you a smooth ride and good weather :) From all the Woolley’s
$105.50
Stephen Dodd
Great crew supporting this wonderful cause. Good luck & happy riding guys.
$58.03
Ethan Russell
$126.60
Jean Henderson
$105.50
Phan Family
$105.50
Myat & Wyatt
This is a great initiative. Well done Joel and Andrew!
$58.03
Kai & Mana
All the very best, and wishing you tonight's event successful and enjoyable!
$31.65
Anonymous
$105.50
Silk Laser Clinic Bateau Bay
Happy riding Joel. Awesome cause
$105.50
Anonymous
$105.50
Wed. Ecbc Growth Group Green Point
Go well Joel! everyone at the ECBC Green Point Growth group is cheering you on!
$58.03
Alan Williams
This is a return trip, right Mark?
$31.65
Kieren Powell
Enjoy the ride guys and good luck for the weather :)
$50
Aaron Roworth
$26.38
Kevin John Andrews
Hi Andrew. You are sooo lucky to be able to join your courageous father in his fund-raising journey. Fabulous effort by you, young man.
$105.50
Lynette Lisacek
This one is for Andrew.
$105.50
Jonathan & Katy Mccaig Mc Caig
Good on you Joel for getting out there & helping to raise funds for such a worry cause. I’m looking forward to following your ride 8 see your Don achieve his goal.
$105.50
Stephen Milne
$31.65
Pat Bourke
Good on you Joel. I wish you all the best on your ride and hope you raise a lot of money for this great cause.
$52.75
Melanie Wright
Such a worthy cause. Well done Joel and Andrew 🚴🚴
$211
Donna Hyland
A brilliant initiative to support an incredibly important cause - with the wonderful benefit of spending some quality time with friends and family. #win_win Look forward to celebrating with you all in Deniliquin! 🌊🚴🚴🏻♂️🌾🍻
$58.03
Peter Beaton
God bless you and the dementia cause bud.
$1k
Erina Community Mens Shed
IN SUPPORT OF OUR CHAPLIN JOEL SMALL WHO IS RIDING IN THE COAST TO COUNTRY BIKE RIDE
$26.38
Anonymous
$105.50
Kay Hyland
Very proud of you both for your efforts and support for dementia. I will be following your ride closely.
$50
Steve And Jo Laming
Thanks for all your help with our bikes Josh - all the best for your group bike ride - stay safe
$105.50
Debbie Bloffwitch
Joel, I love how you are using your own health & fitness to help others who are no longer enjoying the good health they once had. Good luck to you & your great Team.
$126.60
Sarah Alarcon
You are doing an amazing thing, thank you!!!
$263.75
Tim Barling
Great work Joel, for a worthy cause which affects so many families.
$31.65
Lauren
$50
Merilyn Hussey
Donation for Dementia Australia from Merilyn Hussey
$500
Judy (nanny) Small
Donation for Dementia Australia from Nanny Judy Small
$105.50
Sari Paddison
$50
Colleen Reeks
Great effort Chris and team, and wonderful cause. In memory of Valerie Garland, Albury
$58.03
Anonymous
Mate great job I wish your team and yourself all the best!
$105.50
Sarah And Jono
Good on you Joel! Great work for a great cause :)
$55
Nea Roberts
$211
Zac Sidiropoulos
Good on you mate keep safe it’s for a great course
$105.50
Norm & Nola Whyburn
Have a safe ride for a worthwhile cause
$52.75
Desmond C
Have a great ride Joel and really encouraged by the work you are doing for a fantastic cause. God bless.
$31.65
Frances Jane Jackman
Ride for Rudi
$105.50
Nat Currey
Awesome that you have brought this idea to life! All the best for the ride.
$105.50
Susan Prescott
Thank you for riding for Joan
$100
Mark & Laura Lee
Inspiring to see you put this initiative and fundraising event together Joel.
$470
Terrigal Trotters
Terrigal Trotters Fundraising BBQ
$520
Peter Toms
Well done Joel. What a great project. Thank you for what you are doing.
$105.50
Adam Bishop
What a great cause, my wife just lost her nana to Dementia last week and to see how it has affected everyone we need to do what we can to find a cure and support the families. Best of Luck!!
$58.03
Kim Cook
Great work Joel
$58.03
Anthony R
Good Luck and Best wishes for the Ride. Fantastic initiative for a very worthy cause !! PS. Don't forget the 'Puncture Kit' :)
$52.75
Dave Byrnes
Safe riding, Joel. Great cause. Dave.
$105.50
David Booth
Have a great ride Joel. It is a very worthy cause.
$58.03
Margaret Aurisch
Thank you Joel for doing this amazing challenge
$55
Marcus Angelo
$58.03
Stephen Hughes
Keep safe and have fun. Good job.
$58.03
Tony Mc
$100
James Panetta
Go Joel! Don’t forget the way. We’ll be thinking of you. Anna and James
$52.75
Ciaran Lynch
$58.03
Charles Brooks
Good luck and smash that ride
$31.65
Warwick Whitmore
$31.65
Kieren Turner
Good on you Joel!
$31.65
Daniel Iveson
Enjoy!
$5.28
Anonymous
$52.75
Greg Sleep
Great cause Joel, good luck with the ride and loving the journey. #520
$58.03
Troy Kastelan
What a great cause Joel and crew.
$105.50
Judy Bell
$50
Krystie Harris
Donated in memory of Kathryn Fairfax (my Granny). An absolutely devastating disease and so heartbreaking to watch a loved one slowly decline. Best wishes for a successful fundraising campaign and a safe bike journey. x
$58.03
Anker Christensen
Good Luck
$30
Blake Stroh
$105.50
Anonymous
well done greg. great cause that has impacted many of us. good luck
$21.10
Emma H
$52.75
Matt Sherwood
Good Luck Joel, great cause!
$50
Kim Rosenwald
$58.03
Dale Smith
Great Cause, affects so many wonderful people. Good luck with the ride.
$31.65
Craig Rangott
Good on you Joel! Good luck mate. Craig
$500
Mark Louie-johnsun
Awesome and inspiring Joel! Such a common sad chronic disease. I wish I could ride to join you!
$105.50
Greg And Daylle Mallin
In memory of Rudi
$100
Anonymous
So thankful for you. On your bike you go b
$100
Nigel And Dianne Brown
$50
Zach Bryant
Legendary!
$211
Anonymous
Great initiative mate
$105.50
Robert Miller
Donated in memory of Ella Doreen Freeman and all those that suffered.
$100
Alison Richmond
$58.03
Detta Unsworth
This is an amazing cause My mother who had dementia had been a Doctor of philosophy at Macquarie University. I wish I was doing the ride with you😁💪👏🌟
$105.50
Philip Waugh
Enjoy the saddle-sores :-)
$105.50
Ross Young
Great Work Joel, This will be an amazing adventure and Journey for an important cause.
$105.50
Paul Jeffery
Geez you’re a good bloke!
© Copyright 2024 Dementia Australia Ltd. ABN: 79625582771
Good luck Phil Vanderdrift. Great effort for a great cause.