Charity cyclist, 82, dies a day after 3,300 mile ride across Australia
Bob Montgomery died unexpectedly just a day after finishing what he had called 'One Last Ride'.
An 82-year-old charity cyclist, Bob Montgomery, has passed away just one day after successfully completing a 3,300-mile (5,300km) journey across Australia. His family announced on social media that his death was "unexpected" yet "peaceful," with his wife of 59 years, Jenny, by his side.
Montgomery had dubbed his epic ride "One Last Ride," traversing from Broome in Western Australia to Bowral, located southwest of Sydney. Alongside his 18-year-old grandson, he raised approximately A$105,000 ($74,000; £55,000) over six weeks for a motor neurone disease (MND) charity.
This marked his sixth fundraising endeavor for MND NSW, a cause described by his family as "deeply personal to him." They noted that he was "still passionately sharing his message only hours before his passing."
On Sunday, Montgomery and his grandson, Tom Malcolm, were met with "roaring applause" from the local community upon their arrival in Bowral, as reported by the national broadcaster ABC. Montgomery shared with ABC that his motivation stemmed from the people he encountered and the enjoyment of "a beer or two" at each stop. He was quoted saying, "There's so many stories and so many people we met along the way who put their hands into their pockets to throw some cash in, which is fantastic."
Montgomery's inspiration for the challenge came from losing a cousin to MND. His previous rides had already accumulated nearly A$300,000. On his fundraising page, he wrote, "I have seen family and friends suffer. It's heart breaking."
Malcolm proceeded to Sydney on Monday, where the family reconvened for a celebration. However, shortly after the gathering, Montgomery experienced a medical episode, according to Liam O'Meara, chief executive of MND NSW. O'Meara expressed his profound sadness at Montgomery's passing, remembering him as a "cherished friend and tireless supporter of MND NSW."