Tommy reached ‘The Tip’ last week after a two-year journey on his trike.
STROKE survivor Tommy Quick reached the tip of Cape York last Wednesday, the final destination of his 9000km trike journey across Australia.
The ‘4 points Australia’ trip started in August 2021 as a challenge to ride to the four most extreme edges of the country.
What started as a personal goal to physically and mentally conquer turned into a journey of raising awareness and funds for young Aussie stroke survivors.
Tommy, who suffered a stroke at just 12 years old, is passionate about highlighting the fact that “stroke happens at any age”.
He says that “600 kids per annum in Australia will suffer a stroke from the age of 0 to 18.”
Two years after starting, on his 30th birthday, he completed the four points challenge with the support of loved ones.
The rider was overwhelmed with emotion upon reaching the final destination of a long and difficult journey.
“The first thing I did was cry,” he said on reaching the Tip.
Tommy was surrounded by family and friends along the way.
Tommy suffered a major setback in late 2021 after he was hit by a car before reaching the second point. It put him in rehab for a year, but he didn’t let that stop him.
Friend David Jones described Tommy as “amazing” in his recovery journey, from regaining movement to overcoming post-traumatic stress to getting back on the bike and completing his challenge.
“He’s a very remarkable person,” he said on Friday.
Along the way, Tommy raised $105,000 for the Stroke Foundation and gave talks at local schools about childhood stroke, disability and social inclusion.
As a child whose life had completely changed, he said that social inclusion was a huge part of being able to accept his new way of living.
“Being able to participate, being able to be included, it began to change my view and I began to feel more empowered … more self-drive,” Tommy said.
Although he’s reached all four points now, Tommy is not done yet.
After a well-deserved holiday in the Far North, he will begin the final leg of the ride back to his hometown in Victoria.
You can make a donation to the cause via the4points.org
