Twenty years ago, a group of first responders clipped into their pedals with a shared purpose: to help children recovering from burn injuries heal, rebuild and find hope. Now, Bike 4 Burns has become one of Queensland’s most enduring, community-led initiatives supporting children affected by burns.
A legacy of healing and hope
Since 2006, Bike 4 Burns has raised more than $1.1 million, helping fund vital research, specialist care and recovery support at Queensland Children’s Hospital. Every kilometre ridden, every dollar donated and every night spent fundraising in regional towns has helped children not just survive burns – but recover, grow and thrive.
Bike 4 Burns is powered by an extraordinary volunteer committee made up of current and retired members of the Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service and dedicated community supporters. For many, the ride is as much about health and wellbeing as it is about giving back.
Each year, these riders take on a demanding multi-day journey across regional Queensland – anywhere from 500 to 1,000 kilometres, carrying the stories of children and families with them every step of the way.
One of those stories is Johanna’s.
At just four years old, Johanna suffered burns to 15 per cent of her body after a hot pasta packet fresh from the microwave burst open. Her recovery was long and challenging – including a two-week hospital stay away from her home in Dalby, multiple scar reconstruction surgeries and ongoing laser therapy.
Now seventeen, Johanna is a testament to the life-changing care made possible at the Pegg Leditschke Children’s Burn Centre. She continues to benefit from specialist treatments and is an active participant in Camp Oz – a place where young people with burns find confidence, connection and the reassurance that they are not alone.
More than just a ride
Bike 4 Burns has helped drive meaningful progress in burns care and recovery – supporting both the physical healing and the emotional wellbeing of children and young people living with burn injuries.
Since the very first ride, funds raised by Bike 4 Burns has contributed to:
- Supporting world-leading research to improve scar management and recovery outcomes for children with burns. With outcomes such as reducing the need for skin grafting in burns patients from 96% to just 2%
- Delivering Camp Oz, an outdoor adventure program that helps young people build confidence, connection and resilience after burn injury
- Funding Striving Deadly Scar Camp in Townsville, ensuring regional and First Nations children can access specialised recovery support closer to home
- Introducing innovative wound care approaches to support healing in acute paediatric burns
- Expanding daily Clown Doctor visits in the burns clinic, using laughter and distraction to ease anxiety during treatment.
The road ahead
Every week in Queensland, nearly two children under the age of four are hospitalised due to burns. Recovery doesn’t end when their wounds heal – it continues through adolescence, self-confidence, mental health and belonging.
In 2026, Bike 4 Burns riders are once again taking to the road, starting in Bundaberg on 12 May and finishing at Queensland Children’s Hospital on 19 May, with a goal to raise $200,000 for burns care.
With your support, Bike 4 Burns riders can not only reach their goal, but provide life-changing care to kids who need it most.
We look forward to riding with you in 2026 – in spirit and in support!
The difference that shapes their world
Through supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation, you can improve childhoods and ensure all children and young people have access to treatment - sooner.
