Two mates, a couple of days in Forster fishing before their next big race — the Yellomundee 180, part of an Interclub series with the Western Sydney Mountain Bike Club. What could possibly go wrong?

On Sunday, 14 September, my 15‑year‑old son Aiden and his mate Flynn woke at 4am to begin their day, preparing for the 4.5‑hour journey from Forster to the Yellomundee Mountain Bike Trails in Hawkesbury Heights.

Both boys have been proudly representing the Mudgee Region MTB Club in the NSW Central West XC Mountain Bike Interclub Race Series.

Sadly, overnight someone decided the boys didn’t need their mountain bikes — and stole them.

You can imagine their devastation. Not only were their bikes gone, but they also missed out on competing in Round 4 of the series. These bikes weren’t just equipment; they were the boys’ pride and joy. Both Aiden and Flynn had worked hard to save the money to buy them — their first big-ticket purchases that meant so much.

I’m hoping to raise some money to help my son Aiden get back on his feet to purchase a new bike and ensure he can not only race in the final round of the season, taking place in Bathurst on 2 November, but for many years to come.