Wayside Stories

 

105km bike trip for Wayside

In the picturesque city of Maryland, USA, Anna Partridge and her husband, Tony, recently embarked on a 105km bike trip in name of charity, raising funds for The Wayside Chapel.

Riding across a land reminiscent of mid-western America, Anna and Tony went through romantic corn fields, arid farmland, rich autumn leaves and tree-lined streets where the branches touched at the top, forming a leafy passage. However, the beautiful scenery was beguiling of the hazards Anna and Tony faced on the trip. For the last 40km, an unexpected, and rather unwelcome, third party joined the ride: a 45 km per hour headwind. This made conditions difficult but Anna and Tony were both determined to cycle on and finish the race. For the last 19 km, they were both buoyed by the Wayside's sponsorship and found that last reserve to cross the finish line.

“Knowing we had your sponsorship sure made the last 12 miles easier!” said Anna. Four hours and sixteen minutes later, the race was finally complete and in the process, $600 was raised for the Wayside Chapel, which is an absolutely fantastic achievement!

Anna became aware of The Wayside Chapel eighteen years ago, when in Year 10, a man came to her school to give a his life story. A man who seemingly had it all; came from a good family, a high-flying career as a lawyer, married his true love, had a lovely house, had loving children and was financially well-off. Then one day, his wife kicked him out of their home. With nowhere to turn to, he had to sleep in Hyde Park that night. Eventually, he lost his job, was destitute and homeless, living on the streets. The man who had it all also had an alcohol addiction and his wife had had enough, hence why she threw him out of the house.

His last resort was at The Wayside Chapel, where they gave him his first shower and a pair of socks in a month. The Wayside also worked with him to battle his alcohol addiction and turn his life around. So much so, that he beat his alcoholism, put his life back on track and was reunited with his family. This story had a profound effect on Anna and has stayed with her ever since. It also compelled her to get involved with The Wayside Chapel.

Having moved to Potts Point in 2008, Anna first started in Community Service Centre on a cold, wet June night. Most people had asked for plastic bags and dry socks to fend off another miserable night on the streets. As Anna went home that night, a lingering feeling of unease was unflappable. “It was so tough to go back to my cosy warm house with my kids and family after the conversations I had just had at the Wayside,” said Anna. So Anna then decided to use her professional skills to help raise the profile of The Wayside Chapel and of Reverend Graham Long's as well. One highlight of her work was doing the media of the Christmas Day event where 3000 people where on the street.

After moving to The States, Anna still wanted to be involved with The Wayside but obvious geographical constraints rendered her physical presence at the centre null. As Anna says, “ I love the work the Wayside does and the lives they change for the better by providing hope. Now I am living in the United States, I can not provide my time to such a worthwhile environment and so doing this bike race gave my husband and I the opportunity to raise money for the Wayside.” With $600 raised, Anna and Tony have ensured that Wayside Youth runs for another day. A truly inspirational achievement but not to rest on their laurels, Anna and Tony have one more adventure ahead: “ Our next focus..... moving back to Australia!!!!”

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