John Swainston
- National: 134th
- State: 46th in NSW
I'm Riding For
Philo
Someone who has got through an amazing decade of treatment and through it found her voice in written words.
My Story
30 October 2026
Well, today was my turn to be in hospital for some exploratory surgery. More ahead later in the year. Not life-threatening, but some improvements ahead, I am assured. But as I came to from the light anesthetic and was able to get to my glasses and then my phone, there was a message on the GCC page that a single donor had closed out my target and we had reached over $3,000. $3,198 as I write this. And on 31st there's still time for YOU to add further support for the Children's Medical Research Institute!
Being able to ride 175kms at the age of 77 is a privilege. I know many who are 10 or 15 years younger who could no longer do that, so I am very fortunate.
And it's because I still can, and will, all being well, do so again next year, that I realise that even getting to adult life itself is a privilege. I've been riding to help improve the chances of little ones who face the challenge of major periods of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
But I have the satisfaction that in the 13 years since I first rode, the long-term survival of multiple different cancers has improved. many kids are alive today that might not have been a decade ago.
So a huge thank you to all my sponsors. A special thank you to Marjo Hallowell in Bargo, NSW for your inspiration and encouragement. And, as we approach Christmas, please consider young children everywhere who need your support, by helping fund medical research. The Science shows clearly, we are making solid progress. We need to keep it going.
Thanks for all your support. And hope to see you back again. I have something in mind to help raise even more next year.
Kids should be living life, NOT fighting for it. Your help makes that fight just that much easier.
John
https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/JohnSwainston1/a
My Legacy
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205 km Ridden$5,091 Raised2013
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367 km Ridden$7,032 Raised2025
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179 km Ridden$3,453 Raised2026
My Challenge
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Reflections on another Great Cycle Challenge
30 Oct 2026At 77 most folk are sensibly avoiding the sometimes challenging exertion of riding a pushbike dozens, sometimes hundreds of kilometres in a month.
But when you look through the age groups, veterans represent a surprising proportion of riders. In my age group, 76 and above, it is dominated by good people who have been doing this fundraising for five years or more.
Perhaps it’s because we are often so close to our grandchildren. As our married sons and daughters both go out to work and we see these little people emerge, perhaps more acutely than their own busy and stressed out parents, we are acutely aware of the future for the little ones we are being privileged to be part of.
And perhaps it’s also because we’ve lost many of our own contemporaries to cancer, heart disease, or increasingly, to the slow decline into dementia. The very brightness and bubbly little people we pick up from school and spend time with until parent pickup is such a tonic, that the thought of them with a serious illness, so early in their lives, is something we rile against and choose to do something about.
That’s what it is for me. Being a relatively fit 77-year old, I still can ride. Well usually. This year has been a bit different. October has been a month of medical pushing, poking and prodding, tests and more, all checking out some issues that need attention medically. Indeed today, the penultimate day of the 2026 Cycle Challenge, saw me in a hospital bed waking up from quick investigative surgery. It will lead to more significant surgery in about a month. Hopefully a full recovery will follow and allow me to prepare for an altogether more complete month of riding, marketing, pitching for sponsors and more, - next year.
Helping improve the outcomes for children caught up with cancer has become incredibly important to this rider. But despite any limitations I have experienced medically this year, it’s nothing to what these brave young kids go through. And each year we raise the funds we do, little by little and sometimes, happily, abruptly, children get better outcomes in their cancer treatment.
The side benefit dozens of us older folk have is a highly motivating period of boosted fitness, community engagement and increased self-worth. And that helps all the well kids too that we are also better able to nurture through our self-imposed riding goals which aid balance, mobility and mindset.
Whatever your age. Think about being part of this next year. Send me a message either through my Facebook or Great Cycle Challenge page if you want to know more.
And thank you for being part of it, if you are reading this here. It becomes an Australia-wide family.
Go well all. Till next year’s remarkable GCC impact. So glad to have made another small but valuable and valued contribution.
Posted 1 day ago -
$2,500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $2,500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved SUPERHERO LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 2 days ago -
15.5 km ride - John Swainston - Thursday, October 29, 2026
Logged this ride 2 days ago -
$2,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $2,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved LEGEND LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 3 days ago -
19.9 km ride - John Swainston - Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
20.8 km ride - John Swainston - Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
20.6 km ride - John Swainston - Sunday, October 25, 2026
Logged this ride 7 days ago -
20.6 km ride - John Swainston - Friday, October 23, 2026
Logged this ride 8 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 16 days ago -
15.6 km ride - John Swainston - Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Logged this ride 17 days ago
My Sponsors
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Michael Mayzel
“You have always been such a positive contributor to those around you John. Congratulations on your inspiring ride!”
$517.50Received this donation 1 day ago
John
“Michael: This morning I was having exploratory surgery. Unfortunately it's going to mean more major surgery before Christmas. Not life threatening, just claeraing out an obstruction. But to wake up and see this donation means more to me than you'll ever know. Your friendship and support these last 30 years remains one of the highlights of my working life. Your work now sounds wonderful, again improving the lives of others. Good on you. Canada and Australia have a common purpose to help be part of a better world. You have just made a huge difference to the lives of others. On behalf of all those children and the scientists who'll receive that support, Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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ARTHEAD PTY LTD
“Fantastic effort, John! A wonderful cause and a great challenge. Wishing you many happy kilometres!”
$258.75Received this donation 16 days ago
John
“Sonja Your donation is incredibly generous. When I am back from the hospital on Saturday I'll be redoubling my efforts. You have motivated me to get my rear end into gear to make those targets. I am half way on distance. Now to find people as generous as you! Thank you so much.”
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Kick Cancer's Butt Day Matching Donation
“Here's your matched donation from our generous supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$258.75Received this donation 24 days ago
John
“To all who contributed to the matching funds this month, a huge thank you. Unfortunately this year, my 78th, has not plaid ball, so a much more modest 175 kms ridden, by tomorrow, the target I set. While I won't likely achieve my goal of $3,000 this month, there will be $2K raised, part of it your matching funds. I have some dear friends whose grandson, now 9, owes his life to the science and research that we are all raising money for. Needless to say their family was one of the first to contribute. It's often those with the closest brush with childhood cancers who give back the most. Not all bad in the world, by any means. Thank you again.”
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Alexx Stuart
“Proud of you, Dad, for making this effort again this year to support those experiencing cancer while hoping for less having to do so. Alexx x”
$103.50Received this donation 22 days ago
John
“Thanks Alexx. It's p[roving to be a tough ask this year. So redoubling my efforts after the procedure in Sydney tomorrow. My challenges are nothing compared to the wee ones going through this.”
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des crawley
“Watch out for potholes and speed cameras”
$103.50Received this donation 24 days ago
John
“Des, long overdue but many thanks for your support. I think of your little man and his/your family's trauma. So happy that the science from research has made such a recovery possible. Thank you both.”
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Drew Lenman
“A truly great gesture for a worthy cause. Well done John.”
$103.50Received this donation 3 days ago
John
“Thank you Drew. Off for the final ride of this year's venture. The comradeship around the nation of thousands of us riding, mostly not knowing each other, but united in a common cause produces a wonderful feeling that somewhere in some town or village around Australia and around the world the rides we are making will make one small child, one challenged family live to see that little person get the chance for life. Having seen that amazing transformation first hand in our own little family, in these later years it's such a privilege to help give others that chance. Go well.”
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Duncan
$103.50Received this donation 25 days ago
John
“It's long overdue, Duncan but thanks for kicking this off. Never seen fundraising so hard. I am looking like I'll be well short of the target, but last year I achieved three times the original target. Thank you again.”
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Mick Porter
“Great work John”
$103.50Received this donation 2 days ago
John
“Mick, that was very generous of you and I really appreciate it. Thanks to you and a couple of other donors over night I have made the target and hopefully a few more will drift in in the next 24 hours. Having had a child requiring breakthrough neuclear medicine for a tumour at one month of life, I know personally what sch=ince can achieve and what that means to a family. You have helped advance the cause. Thnak you. And keep making the world a better place with your wonderful images.”
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Myee Clohessy
“Great to see you fundraising again this year, John! Wishing you better health to reach your goal. xM”
$103.50Received this donation 5 days ago
John
“You don’t know what that means to me. Been stuck for 7 days with not a dollar added. Convinced Facebook has altered the algorithm to NOT show fundraising requests in favour of paid ads.. incredibly generous. Went Shelby concert Saturday pm. Such a magnificent contrast to prior week’s War Requiem. Some glorious Brahms pieces I didn’t know well and so glad to now see them in context of similar period orchestral works. Bless you. J”
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Oscar Dunn-Luck
“Best of luck!!!”
$103.50Received this donation 2 days ago
John
“Oscar, that's incredibly generous of you. Much appreciated. I'll get on and try and make contact so we can get that recording done.”
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Paul Boniface
“A child should ever suffer this hideous disease. Thanks John for taking up the challenge”
$103.50Received this donation 16 days ago
John
“Paul, long overdue, but thanks for your geneerous donation. It must be very tough out there. Well short of $ target. Every person I know says the same. But the campain has raised over $2.1 Million with more to come in these last few days, I am sure. Thanks again to the two of you.”
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Stephen Perris
“Great work John keep going mate”
$103.50Received this donation 2 days ago
John
“Stephen, Thank you so much. It’s been a tough year to raise money, so your generosity for this research support is much appreciated. Just glad I can still get the miles up to be part of it. Go well and thank you again.”
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Charles and Susan
“Fabbo”
$100Received this donation 1 day ago
John
“Trademark comment, Charles! Thanks to you both. Looking forward to seeing you both soon. Will be at the Add On opening, Festival opening ad Saturday events. Have a shoot on Sunday morning and another on Monday so have to leave early Sunday. Thanks to you two, well on my way to reaching a few hundred over target. Huge thanks. J”
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Alex Howen
$51.75Received this donation 24 days ago
John
“Thanks Alex. It's tough going out there, but I'll get over the $2,000 mark, I am confident by Saturday. In hospital on Friday for some exploratory work. Nothing serious, just damn inconvenient and , on the day, uncomfortable. Full recovery within days, all being well.”
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Barbara Bryan
“Your determination/doggedness says it all John!”
$51.75Received this donation 16 days ago
John
“Barbara - Belated thanks. Very kind of you. Never been tougher raising money. Obvious why - most of us are running a very tight ship thanks to the warmongers in Washington. Hope you are well and can't thank you enough.”
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Bernard Graves
$51.75Received this donation 2 days ago
John
“Thank you Bernard. I believe it'll be my turn to shout you coffee!”
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Bruce Pottinger
$51.75Received this donation 25 days ago
John
“Bruce, I so appreciate your kind donation, long overdue for thanks. fact is I have been in and out of doctor's surgeries most of last month and this and back in for another procedure on Friday, so have to finish the riding tomorrow. I do hope we'll see you for this coming month's get together. I plan to stay longer than usual so I get to cacth up more broadly. Hope to see you there. Bests and THANK YOU!”
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Craig Golding
“Ride strong John. Good on ya!”
$51.75Received this donation 12 hours ago
John
“Craig, I can't thank you enough. I do hope we'll finally catch up in the year ahead. Just part of an Australia wide team who want to get rid of this terrible scourge. Go well and thanks again.”
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Gaye White
“Ride well John. Thank you for all you do for our community.”
$51.75Received this donation 4 days ago
John
“Thank YOU Gaye. The whole community is doing it very tough this year. Never ever found it so hard to raise funds. Much appreciate your support.”
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Helen Hartland
“Impressive ride for a great cause.”
$51.75Received this donation 1 day ago
John
“Dear Helen Thank you. Hard to believe 4( years have passed since we first met. Thankful I can still contribute and mindful of what the $2.4 Million raised means for ongoing research. Thanks so much - John”