Meet the faces of the Dementia Research Community and organising committee behind Bondi2Berry – each of us volunteer our time to deliver our great events to help end dementia.
Nick Young
President
My dad was diagnosed with dementia in 2011. This gave my family and I a steep learning curve, and greater understanding of what this disease is all about. Seeing my dad deteriorate from the person I grew up with lead to me to co-founding the Bondi2Berry Ride to Remember in 2016. The awareness and fundraising we achieve allows the community to learn about dementia and to feel comfortable talking about dementia. Our events fund research for a cure for dementia and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved so far, and look forward to growing our charity into the future.
Nicole Stanners
Vice President + Marketing and Events
My beautiful healthy mum, Dianne Stanners, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in early 2016 and sadly passed away in October 2020 at the age of 76. It is soul destroying to watch what this insidious disease does to someone you love and the challenges it brings to their carers and families. That is why I rode the first Bondi2Berry and am on part of the Committee. I hope we can not only help find a cure but raise understanding and empathy in the community to help those with Dementia live rich and fulfilling lives.
Denise White
Secretary
My grandad suffered from dementia in his later years and it was extremely tough on the entire family. Thankfully it never stopped him from smiling, enjoying the chats and insisting he should be getting back to the electrical shop he managed until he was 80 years old!
I met Nick and the B2B family through a local cycling group and was very keen to get involved. I love the Bondi2Berry community as everyone is so passionate about giving it their all, raising awareness and having fun!
Jack Parr
Treasurer
My partner’s grandmother suffered from Dementia and I saw the pain and frustration that it caused not only her, but her family and friends too.
I met Nick through a local tri club and jumped at the opportunity to contribute to such a great cause when he asked me about taking on this role. I did my first B2B ride in 2021 and have seen what great work the charity has done to increase awareness around the disease, raise vital funds to help find a cure as well as put on such brilliant, fun events.
Nicole Cox
Volunteers
My beautiful Mum, Jill Ward was suffering from Alzheimer’s when she passed away in October 2020. It broke my heart to see what this terrible disease did to such a confident, active woman. I’ve participated in the Bondi2Berry ride since 2017 and also rode in the Bondi2BlueMtns ride in 2021. When Mum passed I wanted to do even more to help raise awareness so I joined the Bondi2Berry Committee in late 2020. I truly love the B2B community! It feels great that we’re able to combine our passion for riding with finding a cure for Dementia.
Beckie Petula
Medical
My incredibly cheeky, loyal and loving grandfather, Albert, a giant of a man in a little Italian body was taken from our family by dementia in 2019. It was a tough year filled with mixed emotions as dementia had taken the best parts of him long before it took his life.
Bondi2Berry has been a safe space throughout the journey and I’m proud to be a part of the committee, providing a safe space for other individuals and families living with dementia while raising awareness and ensuring vital funds go directly into research for a cure.
POD
Training rides & operations
My grandmother had Dementia and I saw the frustration this caused her as well as the impact to my family helping to look after her and this was my opportunity do some something positive. I did the first Bondi2Berry event and seen how many people were impacted by this disease, so I decided I wanted to be involved with and help it grow each year. I feel privileged to be part of the amazing B2B Committee.
Jo Lees
Social Media
My mother-in-law passed away from dementia related complications in November 2020. This was made especially difficult as we were still in the throes of border lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, so my husband and his family were unable to spend time with her in her final days. I decided to ride Bondi2Berry and join the Committee to raise money for this insidious disease and not only try to find effective treatment and a cure but also to support those who are left behind.
Dan Keily
Sponsorship
Sometimes I spend longer at the coffee shop than I spent on the bike but to me the banter is just as important as the Strava segments. My wife, Cassie, and I through our company have sponsored the B2B ride since its inception. Supporting the event is very important to me and I have enjoyed watching it grow and achieve fantastic success.
Tom Chard
Fundraising & Research
My Mum was diagnosed with early onset dementia in her 50s, which was a shock to our whole family. Mum has taken the diagnosis in her stride and has tried to make the best of a difficult situation over the years. I jumped at the opportunity to be on the Bondi2Berry Committee which has given me a chance to tangibly be involved in dementia related initiatives and help continue to grow the event and community that is Bondi2Berry.