Now the committed cyclist is preparing to ride 800 kilometres in eight days and raise $10,000 for Hands Across the Water – an Australian charity that gives at-risk Thai children and their communities a helping hand. 

Mr. Coleman said that a speech by the charity’s founder, Peter Baines OAM, really struck a chord with him and he decided then and there that he wanted to do something to help.

“I just remember thinking, wow,” he said.

“I was really taken aback by what he had to say and I just thought that what the charity had been able to achieve was very impressive.”

Hands Across the Water was established after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, that left countless Thai children alone and homeless.

In 2006 along with a number of equally committed supporters, they pooled their resources to build the first orphanage at Baan Tharn Namchai.

Hands Across The Water now has to raise over $1.2 million each year just to cover their annual costs, with every cent raised going directly to the kids and their communities. 

Mr. Coleman said that it was this philosophy that interested him.

“Every cent goes to Thailand and goes to those who need it the most and that is a very important thing,” he said.

“A lot of people don’t realise that there were so many children who survived the tsunami, but their parents didn’t.

“Someone has to look after them.”

Mr. Coleman will travel to Bangkok in January to participate in the charity ride to Khao Lak, and has already raised more than $8500.

To contribute to the cause, visit www.handsacrossthewater.org.au and follow the links ‘get involved’ and then ‘sponsor a rider’. 

Collection boxes are also located at the Royal Oak Hotel and Cessnock Community Healthcare.