Pickles' Nick Johnson helps raise $150,000 for kids in need
The 2025 Variety Adventure Ride came to a successful finish in September, having raised an incredible $150,000 for Australian children who need it most. From navigating amazing landscapes like the epic Lake Goran and the twisting Turon River, 22 riders crossed the finish line after taking on a 6-day journey to raise vital funds to support children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability.
Having worked with Variety for a number of years on a range of activities and charitable initiatives, Pickles is proud to have supported another amazing ride. The event, championed each year by Pickles' General Manager for Salvage, Nick Johnson, is a community effort powered by the support of its sponsors and donors.
Taking riders across NSW and ACT, it is a trek unlike any other, with stopovers made in rural towns and visits to schools often made up of less than 20 students. For Nick, the experience of donning the helmet this year was unforgettable.
“The highlight is always just hanging out with the kids, to be honest. You might play handball with them. You see what they're doing in their school and what they're working on from an arts and crafts perspective or whether they're playing musical instruments,” Nick explained.
“All of us come in on big noisy motorbikes and the kids are just in awe. It's a bit of a spectacle, but then they see all of these guys pull their helmet off and they are all just big softies.”
“You have breakfast or lunch with them, and then you bid them farewell and get back on the bike. But it's genuinely the highlight of the event because they just love it. They get such a kick out of you putting them on your bike and starting your bike, the buzz it all generates is awesome for them and us.”
“That's what we're there to do; put some smiles on these kids' faces and to show what Variety can do.”
Beginning and ending in Singleton, the route for the 6-day event saw riders head across regional NSW, taking in the rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes along the way. This year, participants hit the following stops:
Sunday, 14 September: Singleton – Putty – Lithgow
Monday, 15 September: Lithgow – Hill End - Bathurst
Tuesday, 16 September: Bathurst – Hargraves – Gulgong
Wednesday, 17 September: Gulgong – Coolah – Tamworth
Thursday, 18 September: Tamworth – Nowendoc – Gloucester
Friday, 19 September: Gloucester – Singleton
While the ride undoubtedly offers a physical and mental challenge for riders, it allows for everyone to come together in solidarity to achieve the same goal. Participants not only get to experience visiting these schools, but they are able to deliver grants in person, with over $15,000 provided to remote communities across the hundreds of kilometers ridden over the 6-day journey.
Supporting the riders along the way are a team of volunteers who offer their time and personal heavy vehicles to balance multiple duties, including carrying the riders' bags from town to town and overcoming the more treacherous environments. For Nick, it was yet another wonderful showcase of togetherness for a great cause.
“I've done a lot of different events but there is nothing quite like this. Whether you're on dirt roads or taking on tricky terrain, you've got to be switched on,” Nick said.
“From a men's mental health perspective, it's a chance for a bunch of us to just connect and not worry about anything else. You don't have to worry about work or anything else, and you're able to just pay attention to what you have to do and get through the next river crossing or trail.”
“We're all there for the same cause and the whole experience is about doing something for kids in need.”
Head to Variety - the Children's Charity for more information on how to get involved or donate to a great cause. Follow Pickles on Instagram and Facebook for more content and to stay ahead of the kerb.
30 Sep