Fatherly love will spur Inverell Police Sergeant Darren Wilkins on as he takes on a 300 kilometre cycle ride in support of New South Wales Police Legacy (NSWPL) this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Starting Friday, Sergeant Wilkins will join a 100 strong group for the three-day ride from Sydney’s police memorial to the Canberra memorial, in the hopes of raising $100,000 to support police families affected by serious injury or death.
It’s a cause that hits close to home for Sergeant Wilkins, who has seen NSWPL’s work first hand as they supported his stepsons, Jack and Ben Goodwin.
Jack and Ben were just nine and six-years old when they lost their father, the late Senior Constable Daniel Goodwin. Now aged 10 and 13, the pair will show their appreciation for Police Legacy by joining their stepfather for the final 20 kilometres of the ride.
“We’ve all experienced the great work NSWPL does and are passionate about helping the group goal of raising $100,000,” Sergeant Wilkins said.
“No doubt (this will be) something they will remember for a long time.”
Providing driving lessons, financial assistance, grief counselling and social events, NSWPL helps fill gaps caused by the loss of a parent and works hard to remind children they are not forgotten by the police community.
With a loving stepfather and their mother, a local police prosecutor, still involved in the police, Sergeant Wilkins acknowledged Jack and Ben were more fortunate than most; but he said they truly appreciated the support they do receive.
Jack and Ben look forward to yearly camps to everywhere from the Gold Coast to Uluru. The week-long camps are filled with fun team building exercises and activities with fellow legatees.
“One of the biggest things that the kids get a bit of a buzz from is their birthday and Christmas every year,” Sergeant Wilkins said.
“They get a card from Legacy and a small cheque. It’s nothing huge, but it’s a good surprise for them, just to let them know they’re not forgotten. They still belong.”
Riding in five pelotons of around 20 cyclists, the group will ride from the Wall of Remembrance in Sydney's Domain to Mittagong on Friday, April 27.
The Saturday ride will take them from Mittagong through to Goulburn, where they will stay at the New South Wales Police Academy before taking on the final leg through to the police memorial in Canberra on Sunday.
Sergeant Wilkins is confident he has what it takes to finish the ride, despite separating his shoulder in an accident two weeks ago, which resulted in a somewhat generous offer from Chief Inspector Rowan O’Brien.
“He considered doing the ride on my behalf when I was recently injured but reconsidered after realising he might look like a grisly bear in lycra!” Sergeant Wilkins said.
To support Darren, Jack and Ben’s rides, visit their GoFundMe page.