FROM the red dirt of West Wyalong in another lifetime to the finish line in Narromine, former local Mark Cafe and now Tamworth resident, has completed an emotional and inspiring charity bike ride in support of Royal Far West (RFW), raising over $5,000 and covering more than 380 kilometres in just three days.
For Cafe, this was far more than just a physical challenge. It was a deeply personal journey back to the hospital that once gave him hope — and hands — after suffering devastating injuries as a baby.
In 1963, at just 11 months old, Mark sustained second-degree burns to both hands after falling into hot coals in the family laundry’s copper water system. What followed was years of surgery at Princess Alexandra Hospital, rehabilitation at Royal Far West Children’s Hospital in Manly, and solo train journeys between Wyalong and Sydney without his parents, Gwen and Matt, who stayed behind to care for his five siblings.
“I spent Christmas at the hospital and even started Kindergarten there,” Cafe recalled. “It was a second home for a while — and a lifeline.”
Despite the trauma and time away from home, the injury never held him back. He became a professional signwriter and proudly played first-grade rugby league for West Wyalong — a testament to resilience and community spirit.
It was a visit to the RFW Hospital in Manly a few years ago that stirred something deep within.
“It was very emotional,” he said. “Seeing where I spent so much time as a kid brought everything flooding back. I knew I needed to give something back.”
That opportunity came through RFW’s “100 Riders for 100 Years” Heritage Charity Bike Ride — a centennial event conceived by RFW CEO Jacqui Emery. Riders, including Cathie, cycled from Bourke to Narromine, passing through Cobar and other regional towns to raise money for children in rural and remote communities needing healthcare support.
As a former soldier, Cafe says physical endurance was familiar territory — but the training was another story.
“I hadn’t been on a bike in over 30 years,” he laughed. “The first four weeks were brutal, but I pushed through, and soon I was riding 70 kilometres a day.”
Over three days, Cafe covered 160km, 130km, and 120km respectively, cheered on at the finish line in Narromine by family who travelled from Sydney, Tamworth and Wyalong to mark the occasion.
School visits in Bourke and Cobar along the route proved a highlight, as did hearing from families currently receiving support from Royal Far West.
“It reminded me just how critical this service is — and how much more is still needed, especially in rural areas where access to medical specialists is limited.”
Cafe’s three reasons for riding were clear: to give back to the hospital that helped him as a child, to promote the link between physical fitness and mental health, and to honour his late mother by easing any guilt she may have carried from the accident.
The ride raised over $840,000 in total, a result celebrated at a Gala Ball at the Royal Flying Doctor’s Hangar in Dubbo, capping off what Cafe describes as “one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
“I’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
“And hopefully I can convince a few family and friends to ride alongside me.”
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