Tarragindi’s Darren Laarhoven Takes on Bike Challenge for a Cause

Tarragindi accountant Darren Laarhoven is ready to take on the challenge of biking from Sydney to Brisbane to raise funds for children in need.

Mr Laarhoven is a managing partner at UHY Haines Norton Brisbane and is a cycling enthusiast. When not working, he loves going on adventure trips with his wife and two teenage boys.

He will be part of the five-member team of AEIOU Foundation that will join the Chain Reaction ride for a cause on April 29. Mr Laarhoven has worked with AEIOU as their auditor for many years. In February, he was invited by AEIOU chief executive Alan Smith to join their team.

Although he’s a weekend bike cyclist, Mr Laarhoven is only used to 150-km rides per week. The more than 1000 km bike course in seven days would be a true challenge, so he has used the past weeks to prepare for the event.

He will join the AEIOU team composed of Eauan Morton, David Chiang, Terry Van der Velde, and AEIOU Chairman Dr James Morton. The team will reach Brisbane on May 5.

Bike Ride for a Cause

The Chain Reaction Challenge is an annual event that invites senior executives for the physical challenge. The event gives them valuable networking opportunities, but more importantly, they get to help sick children.

Part of the proceeds from charity ride will go to the AEIOU Foundation, which provides support for children with autism.

The charity will also help fund Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for families who need a place to stay when they seek treatment for their children in a distant hospital. Families of hospitalised children can stay at a Ronald McDonald House at little or no cost.

Since it was started by Berrick Wilson in 2007, Chain Reaction has raised more than $20 million for charity partners. All in all, the group has done 21 rides across Australia and New Zealand.

The Queensland ride will be a stretch of over 1000 km, which the riders will cover from April 29 to May 5. They will have stopovers at Hunter Valley, Forster, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

Anyone can donate to the charity by heading over to the Chain Reaction website.

 

Photo Credit: Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation / Facebook