Very Special Kids is Victoria’s only children’s hospice and a statewide family support service for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Every day, their teams provide holistic paediatric palliative care and practical support, free of charge, for families navigating the most challenging chapters of life. Their work spans specialist care, respite, and ongoing guidance through illness, end-of-life and bereavement, supporting more than 700 families across Victoria. For parents and siblings, this support can mean time to rest, expert clinical care for their child, and the reassurance that they are not facing this journey alone.
This is why the Very Special Ride matters. The charity cycling event raises vital funds to help Very Special Kids continue delivering compassionate care and critical services when families need it most. On Friday 27 February, Marshall White Group Sales Director John Bongiorno will clip in and ride in support, helping turn personal effort into meaningful impact for Victorian families. “No child should face their journey alone, and no family should navigate the heartbreak without support,” John said.
Held in the Yarra Valley, the event brings together a strictly limited field of 50 riders for a 92-kilometre course designed to challenge while showcasing the region’s best scenery. The route runs past wineries and through stretches of forest, building to a steady eight-kilometre climb before finishing with a rewarding descent into lunch.
For John, the ride is equal parts personal challenge and purposeful action, and a chance to stand behind a service that quietly changes lives every day. “The work Very Special Kids does is incredible, and knowing my efforts contribute to that makes every kilometre worth it,” he said. The event ensures training, discipline and endurance are channelled into tangible support for children and their families across the state.
Riders are encouraged to raise at least $2,000 each, contributing to an overall fundraising goal of $330,000 for the event. You can support John by donating to his fundraising page, sharing his link with your networks, or encouraging others to get involved. Small contributions genuinely matter when they’re multiplied across a community. “Every donation, big or small, makes a difference,” John said. Whether you ride, donate, or help spread the word, your support helps ensure Very Special Kids can continue providing specialist care, respite and guidance for families right across Victoria.
