We are bursting with pride as our very own Big John Young OAM has been nominated for the TransGrid Leadership Award in NSW & ACT Regional Achievement and Community Awards!
The NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Awards are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities and businesses are making throughout regional and rural NSW & the ACT.
About Big John
After 40 years of the Newcastle Toy Run and 28 years of that being Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run Charity, Big John has truly poured his heart and soul into charity groups and the event! He dedicates his time to raising community awareness for disadvantaged families and children, especially around key holiday times.
As a result of his hard work and determination he has grown Newcastle Toy Run from 20 motorcycles to the over 10,000 participants in their 40th anniversary last year! The Newcastle Toy Run is the oldest and biggest annual event of its kind in Australia. He works tirelessly to raise awareness and create an infrastructure to ensure that both projects are viable and financially successful to enable continued community support for many years.
Standing at over 2 metres tall and 130 kilos, Big John has often had to deal with the preconception from the media and general public that motorcyclists or "bikers" are to be feared or are "BIG BAD People"! He has been working hard to combat this assumption by demonstrating that motorcyclists come from all walks of life – that they are young, old, female and male, and want to help their peers and community as much as anyone else.
Over the years, Big John has also had to overcome a number of challenges regarding event logistics as the Toy Run became bigger for the committee to handle, including a recent venue change due to Newcastle Supercars. Big John has tackled all these issues head-on resulting in successful outcomes for all parties. He is involved from start to finish and never afraid to pick up the phone to drum up support or direct traffic while on site.
This is a man who has given of himself to provide an outstanding and continuous voluntary and professional service to the community of Newcastle and surrounding districts.
A man worthy of the name “BIG John” can be seen by the extensive list of charities and services that he has been involved in over the years:
· Salvation Army – Tinned Food and Blanket Appeal
· Salvation Army – Red Shield Appeal
· Salvation Army Xmas Appeal
· Newcastle Bikers for Kids Toy Run (currently in its 35th year)
· John Hunter Childrens Hospital
· Sudden Infant Death Association
· Camp Quality
· Ronald McDonald House
· Stockton Centre for intellectually and physically disabled.
· National Assoc for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
· Variety Clubs of Australia
· The Muscular Dystrophy Assoc of NSW
· Westpac Rescue Helicopter
· NBN 3 Newcastle Telethon
· King of Hearts Monitor for Kids
· Yellfest Youth Festival
· Glendon Special School
· Magic Moments Foundation
· Oncology Childrens Foundation
· Cystic Fibrosis Association
· Santa Transport for Kids at Christmas
· Kidsafe Child and Parent Education Program
· The Ark
· The Newcastle Show
· Elvis Rocks Morpeth benefiting Maitland Paediatric
· The Red Cross Blood Bank.
· Hunter Bikers Memorial Ride
In 2017, Big John handed the reigns of his presidency to his son Daryn Young, who will continue to take on the legacy and uphold the good work initiated by the longstanding organization for their 41st annual event this year and beyond.
Big John truly leads by example with his heart on his sleeve. His zest for life is contagious and he lifts those around him up encouraging them to do their best. He uses his public profile to "do good" and fearlessly believes in his cause and will promote it whenever possible. Big John sacrifices countless hours and dollars to support Bikers for Kids, Newcastle Toy Run and the wider community. He does all of the above, with honesty and Integrity as paramount.
NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Awards Judging
Whilst a judging panel will decide the winners in each category of the Regional Achievement and Community Awards, the Repco Service People's Choice Award gives the power to the people, to vote for their favourite Finalist.
You can vote for one person, once per day so make sure you help our fearless leader get the recognition he deserves and click here to vote!! Voting closes Friday 16th November 2018.
A big Congratulations to Big John and we all have our fingers crossed for you!
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