John Swainston
- National: 34th
- State: 15th 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
This October, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
I am afraid it was 2013 when I last rode in the Great Cycle Challenge. 204km and A$5,091 raised from around the world from some very generous folk. I even ended up being the 3rd biggest fundraiser in NSW and 13th nationally. In the meantime I've lost far too many friends from cancer, including children of dear friends.
Right now, cancer is the largest single killer of children from disease in Australia – over 700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 die every week. Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
And so, I am riding and raising funds to support the Children's Medical Research Institute to continue their work into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and finding a cure for childhood cancer.
I am lucky enough to have arrived at 76 years of age. Giving back is the least I can do, given good health. Please support my challenge by making a donation through my fundraising page to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Together, we can save little lives.
Thanks for your support. It means a lot.
My Legacy
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205 km Ridden$5,091 Raised2013
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300 km Ridden$6,995 Raised2025
My Challenge
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35.8 km ride - Longest ride: Rain ahead for the final week - Saturday, October 25, 2025
Logged this ride 2 days ago -
24.2 km ride - To less than 100km left! Ride 12 - Friday, October 24, 2025
Logged this ride 2 days ago -
Into the final week- 6 more rides
23 Oct 2025Thursday 23rd October provided a second day of matching funds up to $80,000. Thanks to the generosity of yesterday’s donors and the proportionate share of the $80,000, (because it was oversubscribed, which is terrific,) I was able to add some $900. I also clocked up another 15km after a long working day of commercial photography for a valued client.
Until yesterday My goal was $6,000. Well we are now at $6,500+. And I have ridden 2/3 of my target 360km.
So in the 8 days and likely 6 rides left I am trying to add an extra $500 and ride 120 more kilometres.
To my wonderful supporters, a massive thank you. What the more than $2M in funds raised nationally mean for child cancer research won’t be known immediately. But what is certain is that the funding will raise the chances of new courses of intervention to improve outcomes. Your contribution gives more children the chance to grow up to become healthy adults and lead full lives. No child should have to fight for life. That’s why I, at 76, am now focused on that final 120km in 8 days and hopefully achieve that raised bar of $500 more. If you’ve read this far, you are deeply valued. Thank you. And A huge shout out to Marjo Hallowell from Bargo, NSW whose efforts inspired me to start back on the bike this year in the GCC, and who, with family members and her various community supporters, have raised a whopping $46,000 this year in this initiative.
https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/JohnSwainston1
Posted 3 days ago -
15.4 km ride - Ride 11 East Bowral - Thursday, October 23, 2025
Logged this ride 3 days ago -
15.8 km ride - Tuesday. Bicentennial Park ride 10 - Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Logged this ride 5 days ago -
22.4 km ride - Ride 9 : Monday return to the ride - Monday, October 20, 2025
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
33.7 km ride - Wednesday. Ride 8 - Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Logged this ride 11 days ago -
20.6 km ride - Ride 7, Monday, App did not register. - Monday, October 13, 2025
From Bong bong common to Same
Logged this ride 13 days ago -
Some days it's hard - RIDE 6
12 Oct 2025I've had a minor bit of man flu, the past three days. Gravelly throat and needing the odd Panadol. The winds been up and I have fallen behind my ride goal. This morning I still didn't feel much like going for a ride. But, after finally getting more than 7 hours sleep, still feeling generally below par, I decided to get back on the bike. I had to get my skates on. Winds were forecast to reach 55km in early afternoon and rain forecast with possible storm activity. In fact they gusted over 80km/hr at 2.00pm, by which time I was safely home again.
What drove me out? Well, however off I felt, it's simply nothing compared with what a child goes through when diagnosed with a cancer prognosis. And that's what we are all riding for this month. To help the Children's Medical Research Institute (of Australia) continue their important work, hopefully with strengthened resources as a result of the thousands of riders out there raising money this month.
And I'll have to get two more rides of 30kms done before Tuesday night this week, so I remain on track to achieve my 360km riding goal for the month. Just a little bit more gumption than I felt like. But imagine a world where we get to cure even more kids of cancer, so they, like the fortunate me, can live long, productive lives too? Worth doing, isn't it?
Posted 14 days ago -
30.7 km ride - RIDE 6 - Against The Wind - Sunday, October 12, 2025
Logged this ride 14 days ago
My Sponsors
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christoph mueller
$1,062.95Received this donation 21 days ago
John
“Christoph Your generosity has overwhelmed me. I am without words. So many people will benefit from your great kindness. 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!”
$521.06Received this donation 18 days ago
John
“Quite overwhelming what it means for so many little people. A huge thank you.”
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Great work John for a fantastic cause from the team at APTECH
$414Received this donation 3 days ago
John
“I am deeply grateful. Thank you so much. You have just improved the quality of life for someone who deserves a full life ahead.”
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Match Day Matching Donation
“Here's your matched donation from our generous supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to fight kids' cancer!”
$295.18Received this donation 3 days ago
John
“To those who made my efforts and the donations of my supporters worth so much more, a deep thank you. It helps drive us on to greater heights and brings the chance of better treatments for children with cancer, ever closer.”
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Michel Halbwachs
$274.28Received this donation 14 days ago
John
“Michel, Bien merci! Le monde est vraiement petit. Thank you so much for your very generous donation. Go well I will pedal even harder tomorrow. Amitiés à tous en Maurice.”
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Ann-Marie Paterson
$124.20Received this donation 38 days ago
John
“Ann-Marie, you are most generous. I thank you. Here’s hoping our contributions will make a difference for each child affected.”
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ANTHONY BROWELL
“Go for it John, Great way to feel good for others, and yourself.. Bonza, and thank you, Anthony.”
$124.20Received this donation 27 days ago
John
“Anthony - We've been incredibly fortunate to have made it this far. This is about helping in a small way to give others a shot at a full, quality life. Your donation is both generous and much appreciated. Thank YOU!”
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des crawley
“Great work for a great cause. Leave the magpies alone!”
$124.20Received this donation 18 days ago
John
“Thanks Des. All to help the people that help that little person in your life. Bless him for the joy he brings.”
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Garricks Camera House
“Well done mate!”
$124.20Received this donation 37 days ago
John
“Adam - How absolutely beaut of you to remember me and contribute. I really am overwhelmed by the support, even before we start on the long journey next month. Who knows? I might even beat my 2014 effort where we raised $4,500. Did another 12.5kms this morning and managed to get a bit lost, resulting in a few hills that I am not quite ready for yet! Go well my friend. I'll be posting update reels on Facebook most days, and then all of October.”
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James Murray
“Well done John!”
$124.20Received this donation 3 days ago
John
“James Thank you so much. A great way to get that goal.”
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Philomena ONeil
“Congratulations to John Swainston and everyone else who has taken on this challenge. It is such a worthy cause.”
$124.20Received this donation 38 days ago
John
“Oh Philo! - Thank you so much. I don't know what to say. Other than - Thank you so very much. Just hope my body holds out. Bit worried about my left knee. I think it's developing a touch of bursitis after unaccustomed effort.”
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Raymond Khoury
“Well done John. Few people walk their talk, but you do. You are exemplary.”
$124.20Received this donation 19 days ago
John
“Raymond, that is so generous, especially as it will be doubled in value by matching sponsors today. Thank you so much.”
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Simon Pockley
“Here's to the 70s a period a grace and intrepid adventure.”
$124.20Received this donation 32 days ago
John
“Many, many thanks Simon. Hoping I won't let all of you wonderful supporters down. The journey's the thing.”
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Damian Leonard
“Pedal safely John. Hope you manage to squeeze a book listen or two in over the kms ridden.”
$103.50Received this donation 42 days ago
John
“Damian - thanks. Yes, part of the plan. Many thanks for the support. Looking forward to the 28th.”
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Duncan Dodd
$103.50Received this donation 42 days ago
John
“Oh Duncan, Thank you so much for joining in. I remember you were very supportive last time, too, so extra special thanks.”
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John and Eliza Corley
“Sending best wishes for a fantastic ride !!”
$103.50Received this donation 37 days ago
John
“Bless the two of you. The privilege of working with you in promoting the wonderful music that you create has been a real joy. This ride journey through October will help some super little heroes going through something no child should ever experience, and people like you will all have helped. Thank you.”
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Rick Stevens
$103.50Received this donation 35 days ago
John
“Bless you, Rick! Very generous. The pressure is now well and truly on. So much wonderful support for this great cause. This old bloke now has to deliver! I expect nothing less than a full team of press photographers on 31st October! Many, many thanks.”
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William McCurry
“Thank you John for supporting the kids! Best of success to you!”
$103.50Received this donation 35 days ago
John
“Bill, many many thanks. I owe you so much over the past three decades. Into the final furlong on the book. A few last additions in England and France in November and December. Still on track for Easter.”
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Adam Wilson
$72.45Received this donation 37 days ago
John
“Adam, thanks so much for your support. It's been a very long friendship indeed. I hope all of your family is well.”
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Barbara Seager
“Well done John. Amazing effort. Thank you”
$72.45Received this donation 3 days ago
John
“Barb, Thank you so much. We all know the tragedy of lives cut shot, especially today. So appreciate your support. You have had a marvelous trip, I see, so a big welcome home. Hope to catch up when I return from my trip which starts on 12th Nov. All the very best and thank you.”