An 82-year-old Australian cyclist who dedicated years of his life to raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research and support has passed away peacefully just 24 hours after crossing the finish line of his final cross-continental charity challenge. Bob Montgomery, a long-time MND advocate, wrapped up what he called his ‘One Last Ride’ on Sunday, completing a grueling 3,300-mile journey stretching from the coastal town of Broome in Western Australia all the way to Bowral, a regional town in New South Wales southwest of Sydney. He completed the entire six-week trek alongside his 18-year-old grandson, Tom Malcolm. When the pair rolled into Bowral, they were greeted by thunderous applause from hundreds of local community members who had gathered to celebrate their incredible achievement.
In a statement shared on social media following Montgomery’s passing, his family confirmed that his death was unexpected but entirely peaceful, with his wife of 59 years, Jenny, by his side when he passed. The family added that even just hours before he died, Montgomery was still actively and passionately spreading awareness about MND and the work of his chosen charity, MND NSW. This cross-country ride marked Montgomery’s sixth major fundraising cycling event for the organization, a cause that held deeply personal meaning for him. He first took up charity cycling for MND after losing his own cousin to the progressive neurodegenerative disease, and had already watched multiple close family members and friends battle the condition over the years. ‘It’s heartbreaking,’ he shared on his official fundraising page, explaining what drove him to take on these grueling challenges.
By the end of the ‘One Last Ride’, Montgomery and Malcolm had raised approximately A$105,000 (equivalent to around $74,000 USD or £55,000 GBP) for MND NSW. When combined with the funds he raised during his five previous charity rides, Montgomery’s total contributions to the organization across his cycling career now push close to A$300,000 – a sum that will fund critical research, patient support services, and advocacy work for those affected by MND across New South Wales. In an interview with Australia’s national public broadcaster ABC shortly after finishing the ride, Montgomery said what kept him going through the six weeks on the road was the connections he made with people along the route, and the simple joy of stopping for a cold beer at each stopover. He added that he was continuously moved by the generosity of strangers he met along the way, who consistently dug into their own pockets to add to his fundraising total.
After the finish line celebrations in Bowral on Sunday, Malcolm continued on to Sydney on Monday, where the entire extended Montgomery family had planned a larger gathering to mark the historic achievement. But shortly after the celebration concluded, Montgomery suffered a sudden unexpected medical event, according to MND NSW chief executive Liam O’Meara. O’Meara paid tribute to Montgomery this week, remembering him as a cherished friend to everyone at the organization and an unwavering, tireless supporter of the MND community across Australia. ‘We are deeply saddened by his passing,’ O’Meara said, highlighting the indelible impact Montgomery’s fundraising and advocacy has left on the organization and the people it serves.