The Echuca and Deniliquin McDonald’s licensee spent a week in one when wife Courtney gave birth to their premature daughter Charlotte almost nine years ago.
Which is why he cycled 400km over four days recently as part of the annual Ride for Sick Kids.
‘‘My legs are a little sore and it’s a bit hard bending over to tie my shoes at the moment,’’ he said.
In his fourth year, Scott joined more than 40 riders on March 16 taking on the Great Ocean Road, cycling through Geelong and the Otway Ranges region to finish in Melbourne three days later.
‘‘It was an amazing experience and my family made the trip down to Melbourne to surprise me which just blew me away,’’ he said.
In 2010, Courtney was rushed from Deniliquin to Wodonga where she gave birth to Charlotte five weeks premature.
‘‘She spent a week in the special care nursery,’’ Scott said.
‘‘I was left thinking Charlotte and Courtney were taken care of but then I got a tap on the shoulder asking me what I was doing for myself.’’
That is how he ended up in one of the Ronald McDonald houses, which was attached to the hospital.
‘‘There was a volunteer who came in the morning who made breakfast and scones and a cup of tea and washed my clothes,’’ he said.
All the money raised through the ride will go towards houses and rooms like these, supporting regional families in times of hardship with a sick young child.
‘‘I’ve experienced it firsthand so I know how valuable it is for regional families,’’ Scott said.
‘‘The circumstances can be so traumatic for some families so to be able to ease the financial stress is very important.’’
Scott has raised $4274.60 for this year’s ride, totalling $16,000 over four years.
The Moama family has also sponsored a room for 12 months, meaning whoever needs it during that time will not pay a cent.
‘‘I take pride in the fact that I’m giving back to a community by benefiting regional areas,’’ he said.
People can still donate by going to fundraise.rmhc.org.au/fundraisers/scottmoller/ride-for-sick-kids-vic
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