In 2001, several passionate business executives decided they would go for a bit of a ride and help some seriously ill children in the process. "A bit of a ride" turned into 630 kilometres, from Dubbo to Sydney, and the Tour de Kids was born.
From 2002 to 2006, the annual tour followed various routes through country Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales and raised a further $1,850,000.
Eighteen cyclists participated in the first Tour. By 2005, 31 riders joined in the daunting pedal from Melbourne over the Mount Selwyn snowfields to Canberra. They raised an extraordinary $400,000. Hopes continued to be exceeded when, in 2006, 33 riders covered about 1,000 kilometres between Brisbane and Newcastle and raised more than $650,000!
In 2007, the group grew to 38 riders, who in March sped across the 1,050 kilometres separating Hobart and Thredbo. The final fundraising total exceeded $685,000!