GO BACK
John rides for Max, and Very Special Kids
March 12, 2025
As John whizzed through the scenic Mornington Peninsula streets he had his beloved son Max front of mind.
John was one of 50 people pedalling for the inaugural Very Special Ride on Friday 28 February, raising much-needed funds for Very Special Kids.
It’s an organisation John is hugely thankful for. An organisation that has not only improved the quality of life of his 15-year-old son Max, but has been a source of strength for his entire family.
Born with severe cerebral palsy and a host of complex health issues, Max’s condition impacts his cognitive and developmental function.
He regularly experiences seizures, sometimes 10 to 15 a day, receives nutrition through a feeding tube and requires 24-hour support for personal care.
The hardest thing is that he has minimal communication skills, John says.
That is a tough pill to swallow.
Alongside his wife Kate, and caring for their other two younger children, life is busy.
That’s where Very Special Kids comes in.
After a referral from Max’s paediatrician in 2019, the family has been able to get much-needed respite with the help of nursing and allied health staff at the hospice facility.
“I remember the first time Max stayed at Very Special Kids House, the rest of us stayed in the family accommodation on site so that we could keep checking in on him. We were able to enjoy little things like going out for a relaxed long dinner, something we haven’t been able to do in such a long time,” John says.
“From there on Max has enjoyed various length stays at the hospice for about two to three weeks per year.
During this time, we are able to do all the things that aren’t possible for us with Max.”
The family has been able to go on overseas holidays, camping and weekends away with the knowledge Max is in good hands.
“When Max stays at the hospice he is looked after by people who care for him, like we do, and he gets to enjoy his own little version of a holiday.”
The family has also been able to stay at the purpose-built Glen Osmond Farm in Woodend which offers fully accessible accommodation to families, free-of-charge.
It’s the only place other than home that we don’t need to hire a trailer to take Max and his gear to stay the night at, as everything Max needs is already there.
It’s such a relaxing place for all of us.
Very Special Kids also provides support to John and Kate’s other children, Audrey and Walter, offering them counselling through a family support practitioner, and regular options to attend sibling focused events and share their voices in sibling advisory groups.
“This goes someway to replacing some of the things that they may have missed out in life due to Max’s needs,” John says.
For John, fundraising and cycling 120 kilometres from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula is just a small way of saying thanks to the organisation that has given him and his family some flexibility and built such cherished memories.
During the Very Special Ride lunch John also acknowledged his fellow riders who took on this challenge alongside him.
I want to thank every single one of you for riding and fundraising alongside me. I hope you understand what it means to a family like mine, and so many others that have such varied needs.
There’s not much in this world that helps families to the extent and beautiful way that Very Special Kids does.
The Very Special Ride raised more than $290,000 to help Very Special Kids continue to provide holistic paediatric palliative care to seriously ill children and young people, and tailored support for their families.
The Very Special Ride was made possible thanks to the support of generous sponsors and donors including Chadstone Toyota, Boongalla Group and Jellis Craig.
If you’d like to support John and the other riders who participated you can donate here.
