Glenn Swift (Regional General Manager Western at Komatsu).
Camera IconGlenn Swift (Regional General Manager Western at Komatsu). Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Como: Swift cycles to reconnect Australian families serving in the military

Lucas da PazSouthern Gazette

COMO resident Glenn Swift is preparing to ride 4200km by bicycle from Perth to Sydney to draw attention to the plight of children separated from their parents serving in the military.

The 21-day trip is to aid The Younger Heroes, a organisation dedicated to reconnecting the families of Australia’s armed services personnel.

Glenn’s ride begins in Perth July 10 and he plans to be at Komatsu headquarters in Sydney on July 30.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Glenn’s reasoning for his support of The Younger Heroes program stems from his network of friends and colleagues who are veterans in the military.

At 16, Glenn tried to join the military straight out of school, but was deemed too young and has great respect for all men and women involved within the military.

“This is unfinished business for me, the opportunity to write a chapter missed in my career. I have the opportunity now to serve those who have served,” Mr Swift said.

Glenn will leave his own family behind when he sets out on his journey crossing the Nullarbor Plain and then pushing up into South Australia and across the western plains of New South Wales.

“It’s a test beyond anything I thought I’d put myself through, sometimes I’ll be sleeping beside the bike however I’m feeling prepared,” he said.

“By then, I will have completed up to 10,000km in training rides as well as gym sessions and a fair bit of personal psychology,” Mr Swift said.

Glenn has already raised $10,000 for The Younger Heroes from his employer, machinery giant Komatsu which this year instituted a Live Your Dream program for its staff, providing support for community-based programs.

“I found The Younger Heroes, started by the son of a Vietnam War veteran who knows only too well the pain of separation from his father while he was on active duty”, he said.

“Younger Heroes is doing a great job – providing facilities and opportunities for military families to regain emotional connection and to build family resilience.”