Get on board Marathon Mow Tow

Momentum is building ahead of Richard Holt’s attempt to tow a ride-on mover 42.2km this month, but he still needs sponsors to help him raise money for Bolting Ahead.

The charity provides training and employment opportunities for young people living with disability, via its lawn mowing social enterprise called Backyard Bolters.

Richard will embark on his unique fundraising journey sometime after 8.30pm on August 23, from the 2025 Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, aiming to finish by 4-4.30pm the following day.

Bolting Ahead is the official charity partner of the festival, which is aiming to raise $50,000 for the organisation.

Moreton Daily has signed on as a gold sponsor.

Businesses and individuals from across South East Queensland are being urged to also support Marathon Mow Tow.

How you can support

* Sponsor - starts from $500. Gold sponsorship is $2500 which includes a private bungalow at Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival on Sunday for 16 guests with three-hour buffet and bottle of Piper-Heidsieck champagne on arrival, a ride on the mower, and logo to be displayed on the support van and flags on the mower.

* Buy a bungalow on Sunday, with $200 donated to Bolting Ahead

* Throw some cash into their fundraising tin at the festival

* Donate direct to the boltingahead.com website

Feeling confident

Richard says training is now in full swing and he’s feeling good ahead of the Marathon Mow Tow.

“I’ve actually started taking the mower out with people on it now, testing it to see how that goes,” he says.

“It’s been really successful. I’ve found out that on the flat, it’s not too bad ... once you get to hills, that’s when that big leg drive really kicks in. So, I’ve pretty much just been training on hills.”

Richard says the longest distance he’s done so far is about 10km.

“I probably won’t go too much over that because I’m trying to do shorter distances but higher intensity,” he explains.

The first section of the course is flat, but there are some challenging hills at the back end of his journey.

In preparation, he has been training on hills at Brighton, Chermside and at Margate along the foreshore towards Woody Point.

“I’m feeling really confident. I’m keen to actually get into it now and do it. It’s now about maintaining a level of fitness until the event so that, when I get there, I’m ready,” he says.

So, what does he need now from the community?

“I think the biggest thing is still spreading awareness, sharing posts and stories about the event,” Richard says.

He would also welcome more sponsors and donations to raise money for Bolting Ahead.

“Obviously, the big message that we’re trying to spread is that there are a lot of young people living with disabilities who are more than capable of getting a job and we want to get some support behind them,” he says.

The timing of his Marathon Mow Tow has changed slightly because he believes he will complete it faster than first expected.

Richard is now leaving the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival site somewhere between 8.30pm and midnight on Saturday, August 23.

He will tow the mower to Scarborough, then back to the festival, before heading to Shorncliffe/Sandgate and returning to the festival on Sunday, August 24, about 4pm.

His close crew will be there to see him off on the Saturday night, but he’s expecting a larger crowd will be at the festival to celebrate his return.

“I’m very excited about that. It will be very motivational, especially coming back,” he says.

“The Backyard Bolters will actually be there on the day to see me back in but we’re actually going to get the boys involved - if they want to jump on the mower to steer throughout the event and also at different points along the way so that constant motivation is there.”

About Bolting Ahead

At present six young people have developed mowing and gardening skills and are paid for their work as permanent part-time employees of the social enterprise called Backyard Bolters.

The work has given them income, purpose and direction for the future, as well as invaluable social connection.

Richard and his team want to create a Backyard Bolters Academy, giving two more crews of six people the chance to get involved as well as those keen to develop administrative skills in the office.

To find out more, visit the boltingahead.com website.