Josh Reynolds reveals how work with children’s charity Little Wings prepared him for fatherhood

After years of involvement with children’s charity Little Wings, Josh Reynolds finally has a baby of his own, something the Bulldogs legend says has only furthered his passion for helping kids.

When Josh Reynolds wasn’t a dad, he had a fatherly urge to help children in need.

Now that he has a daughter of his own, the desire to aid the less fortunate has only increased, and he’s driven to ensure she sees the world in the same way.

The former NRL star had his challenges, but together with partner Ciarne, welcomed baby girl Lenora last year. The couple wed last month with Lenora by their side.

“I’ve always wanted it, I’ve always wanted to be a dad and I’ve got it now,” Reynolds said.

“And I’ll probably make a thousand mistakes as we all probably do, but at the same time, you just hang in there and we’ll give her as much love as we can.”

Josh Reynolds with wife Ciarne and daughter Lenora.

Early on Thursday morning, as forklifts whizzed around the Sydney Markets in Flemington and fruit pickers assorted their harvest, Reynolds held up a box of cherries.

It symbolised so much more than just a collection of delicious red fruit.

In it’s 44th year, the annual Sydney Markets Foundation cherry auction picks the best cherries in Australia, then sells them to the highest bidder to raise money for Little Wings, a charity providing flights from regional towns to major hospitals for underprivileged and sick children.

Like Reynolds’ little mate, nine-year-old Leo Doyle, born with a rare genetic condition.

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The 2025 winner, from Smith’s Fruit Wangaratta in the north east Victoria, also won last year’s prize.

The box, chosen by Little Wings chief executive Clare Pearson and Sydney Markets Foundation boss Meegan George, will be auctioned at The Cherry Ball in Sydney this Saturday.

Last year’s box fetched $165,000, paying for more than 100 flights from regional areas to metropolitan hospitals, and this year organisers are confident of raising more than $200,000.

Reynolds got involved with Little Wings before he retired from the NRL, having become a Bulldogs fan favourite, and relishes the cherry event every year.

“Just spending a bit of time with Leo, I don’t know what it is, but I would do anything for him, he’s not even my son,” Reynolds said.

“And then thinking about my daughter, it resonates. It really does.

“When I had little Lenny, I’m like, this isn’t just me running around showing face. From a dad’s perspective, you want to protect them, right? That’s your job.

“And I just feel if I didn’t have that opportunity, I wouldn’t be in a good place.

“And it’s not even your fault because a mother or father cannot control what’s happening to their child.

“But being a dad has opened my eyes up. All you worry about is your family and making them happy.”

Reynolds is a busy man.

He’s got a cleaning business with his mum, works part-time in the Bulldogs’ sponsorship department, has media gigs, and is involved with property construction projects.

Leo Doyle and Josh Reynolds unveiling the winning box of cherries at Sydney Markets Flemington to raise money for kids charity Little Wings. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson chooses the winning box. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Isla Doyle 11 and Louie Doyle 6 with the winning box of cherries. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

He could be doing a dozen other things, but this is top priority, and not only for the sick children.

“I just feel with the parents of these struggling families, you’re hurting inside, I understand it, but they’ve got to put on a front to show the kids that everything’s going to be all right,” Reynolds said.

“And that in itself would be draining. So for us, even at Little Wings to maybe take the parents away, to give them an hour or so where they can just break it down, because in front of the kids, you always want to be strong.

“I know I would want to be in front of my daughter. But it’d be so hard deep down. I just can’t imagine what they’d be going through.”

After playing 192 NRL games, and making four appearances for NSW in State of Origin, the 36-year-old wholly embraces the next phase of his life.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve still got things I want to do in life and things I want to achieve, but I’ve achieved my goal as a kid,” he said.

“When I was a kid, I just wanted to play first grade.

Reynolds left the NRL as a Bulldogs legend. Picture: Adam Yip

Now he aims to make an impact off the field. Picture: Adam Yip

“I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do in that aspect. But now all I want to do is be a good dad. I really do.

“I really just want to make sure I’m hands on and to the best of my ability. Give her everything, but also teach her that there are families out there that are struggling.

“I actually can’t wait ‘til she’s a little bit older and she understands, and I’ll bring her to events like this just to open her eyes to how lucky we are.

“And that’s something I’ve always thought in my head and I said it to my wife the other day, ‘When she’s a bit older, I want to make sure she understands, I want to bring her on these trips and I want to, I want her to ask questions like, why are we here?’

“Because we are waking up every day, we are very lucky.

“And I feel my mum’s passed that down to me. She hasn’t had the best life, but never would you know that.

“She’s always putting other people first. That’s what I hope to think I do.

“Sometimes you’ve obviously got to be selfish, but at the same time, I love to put people first.

“And that’s something I’d love to pass down to my daughter.”

Originally published as Josh Reynolds reveals how work with children’s charity Little Wings prepared him for fatherhood