Boys to the Bush leaders Matt Horder and Pete Butcher are jumping back on their bikes to take part in a 500km ride to raise funds for at-risk youth.
The 2025 Ride to Give will start in Dubbo on Sunday 30 March, travelling via Yeoval and Parkes to Forbes where they'll stop at our local Boys to the Bush Shed that night.
On Monday morning, they'll get back on the road to Grenfell and then from there to Temora, making their way to Leeton over three big days.
The annual FDC Ride to Give has a goal of raising $400,000 for two causes this year: Boys to the Bush and BackTrack, both focussed on supporting, as well as providing preventative and early intervention strategies for young people in our region.
Boys to the Bush CEO and Founder Adam De Mamiel said Boys to the Bush was thrilled to once again partner with the FDC team for the Ride to give.
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“We are also proud to be named as joint beneficiaries with Backtrack," he said.
"The funds raised via this event will aid us in supporting more kids, across a number of regional communities that need it most.
"Beyond the funds raised, this event allows us to build our networks with the amazing riders, volunteers, and community members we meet along the way.”
Pete and Matt took part in last year's ride as well.
Pete is the area manager for the region incorporating Dubbo, Young, Bathurst, Forbes and Leeton, for the organisation and Matt its community partnerships manager.
Boys to the Bush create a positive environment for boys that includes mentoring, a sense of belonging, builds self-respect, mateship, resilience and confidence with a number of different programs, including school based programs, all with the goal to turn boys into good men.
Boys to the Bush aims to reduce homelessness, addictions, juvenile incarceration, self-harm and suicide and build better men, partners, husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and employees.
"I'm passionate about the cause and it's a great opportunity to raise some money and awareness for both organisations," Pete said.
Matt and Pete have been training again for the big ride.
"I would say my fitness is average at best," Pete said.
"I struggled last year and will no doubt struggle again this year, but the feeling of completion at the end is worth it."
Matt enjoyed himself on last year's ride and is eager to get back in the saddle for this year's event.
"After doing the ride last year for Boys to the Bush, I knew I had to do it again this year," Matt said.
"Not only is it a personal challenge as well as last year I got to see firsthand how well organised the FDC ride to give is and the effort that goes into raising money for their chosen charity's."
As for how ready Matt is for the ride?
"My fitness isn't too bad as I have just completed a pretty tough challenge to raise money for a good friend of mine," Matt said.
Of course, he was talking about the 24 hour challenge he undertook for One More Round for Roy.
"Also, after doing the ride last year, I know where my fitness needs to be, so I have been training pretty hard," Matt said.
The goals for both men seem pretty simple, but will be a fantastic challenge regardless.
"Make it to the finish line," Pete said.
"Complete the ride and enjoy it," Matt said.
Both men are passionate about their work at Boys to the Bush and the impact that it has made.
"When you work at BTTB, you are part of a team that can change the course of someone's life by the support our organisation places around these young men, so that's pretty special," Pete said.
"I get the opportunity to work with great staff who have a positive culture and can-do attitude."
Anyone wishing to support Matt and Pete can do so by going online to https://www.fdcridetogive.com.au/all-cyclists and selecting the Boys to the Bush team.
