Spreading Kindness and Hope: Weather, wonder and a will to raise money for the ASRC

On World Kindness Day, we celebrate the generosity, compassion, and spirit of humanity that transcends borders, cultures, and challenges. It’s a day to recognise and honour acts of kindness—both grand and humble—that uplift lives and remind us of our shared responsibility to support one another. In that spirit, we share David McCourt’s incredible act of kindness today.When one of

David McCourt’s best mates did a lap around Australia on a bicycle about twelve years ago, it planted the seed of a philanthropic adventure in David’s mind.

That seed sprouted back in May 2022 when he began the first leg of a dream to cycle all the way back to his home in Northern Ireland. To make his ambitious trip even more meaningful, David decided to turn his global journey into a fundraising event by inviting people to sponsor him along the way.

“I chose the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to donate to because we live in a country where life is pretty good,” he says.

“I’ve always felt strongly about supporting people who are asylum seekers. This was just one way to do it.”

With a starting point in Melbourne, where he has lived for 20 years, he funded his journey from personal savings he’d gathered together after working as a mechanical engineer.

“I am so privileged to be able to save money and have the freedom to choose to travel around the world,” David says.

“So many people are born into poverty and dire circumstances and don’t have that choice. That’s why I think the work of the ASRC is so important.”

He says that knowing he was raising money for a great cause was a way to spur his body into action at times when placing his feet on the pedals seemed too hard.

“The most significant highlight has been the human kindness I have experienced along the way from people who are often much less wealthy than we are in Australia – and who are often going through their own incredibly challenging circumstances,” he says.

David says that the fact that kindness, generosity, and hospitality were often at their most warm and welcoming “in countries that many of the refugees we see seeking asylum in Australia originate from” made his efforts even more meaningful and memorable.

After experiencing wild weather conditions and meeting so many interesting people across a diverse range of countries, David says it enabled him to better explain ASRC’s mission to people he met along the way.

“There were definitely days when the riding seemed long and monotonous, but then you get a coffee or some food and you’ll have a little interaction with a local, in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iraq, or Iran – and you get welcomed into someone’s home and learn things about them and their culture,” he says. “It’s really nice to connect with people on a human level.”

On the final weekend of September this year, the intrepid cyclist finally arrived in the village of Cushendall, Northern Ireland, where he was born and raised – and where he was welcomed by a proud crowd of local friends, family and supportive members of the community that holds such a special place in David’s heart.

At last count, since arriving back in Melbourne in early October, David’s ride for the ASRC helped raise close to $5,000 – and a lifetime of amazing memories.

“It’s always nice when people recognise it’s a good cause. Empathy and compassion is what we’re missing in the world. If only we had more compassion – I want to promote that, particularly given how much kindness I’ve received,” says David. “I can never truly repay that.”

If David’s act of kindness has inspired you to start your own, find out more about community fundraising HERE. You can also make a donation to the ASRC today HERE.