Caritas Australia's CEO, Kirsty Robertson, and Advancement Director, Richard Landels, have completed an epic 700 km bicycle ride from Cairns to Townsville, touring and greeting Catholic schools and parishes along the way.  

The journey started on Sunday, April 16, when the duo set out from St Monica's Cathedral in Cairns and finished on April 23 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Townsville, where they were greeted by Bishop Tim Harris before joining the Mass.  

During the ride, Ms. Robertson and Mr. Landels made pit stops in various towns including Mareeba, Herberton, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Godronvale, Innisfail, Silkwood, and Ingham, where they met with local school students and parishioners to share stories of how Caritas Australia and its partners are working to support communities around the world. 

Last year, the two completed a similar trip from Sydney to Melbourne and found it to be a very enriching experience.  

“The ride is one thing but as always, it’s the people along the way that have made this journey special. It’s such a blessing to make new friends and meet new people and spread the word about Caritas Australia,” said Ms. Robertson.  

“We’re filled with gratitude to the amazing people we have met on this journey, that have shown us deep hospitality. These people are our Australian supporters in Churches and schools across Australia who join together and say - this is not the world that God intended, and I want to create a more just world.” 

“Through their generosity, the lives of the millions of people across the world have been impacted through Caritas Australia. People like Laxmi, a young girl from Nepal who featured in this year's Project Compassion story. And Mali, a woman we met in Ethiopia last year, a mum struggling to provide food and water for her children in the drought.” 

To support Caritas Australia Project Compassion campaign, go to caritas.org.au/project-compassion/ or call 1800 024 413. 

CONTACT: Jessica Stone 0490 684 867 / jessica.stone@caritas.org.au 

ENDS