Pride of Australia: Miles of mobile smiles is the best reward

PAUL Duncombe and Barry Wilson are wealthy men – but it is not money that has made them rich.

Pride of Australia. Paul Duncombe 68 of Sandy Bay, left, and Barry Wilson 70 of Lauderdale are two retired professionals who customise standard bikes to give independence to children with disabilities

PAUL Duncombe and Barry Wilson have become wealthy men since their retirement.

But it’s not money they are rich in – their currency has come in the form of smiles.

Mr Duncombe, 68, and Mr Wilson, 70, have played a key role in the Freedom Wheels program, which provides modified bikes to children with disabilities.

The program is a joint initiative between TADTAS and the Tascare Society for Children, and since its inception in 2010 it has created nearly 100 bikes.

“We get paid in smiles – on the faces of the kids who ride them [and] smiles and a few tears of joy from parents who thought they would never see their kids riding a bike,” Mr Duncombe said.

Mr Wilson said: “We have had kids in wheelchairs riding a modified bike within 15 minutes of getting out of their wheelchair. That’s rewarding.”

Pre-owned bikes are donated and modified using mostly stainless steel components engineered in NSW.

The men form part of a 12-strong team, with the majority being volunteers based in Hobart and Devonport.

Both men have been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal in the Community Spirit Category.

“We rely on donations, and all the service clubs, individuals and businesses who have sponsored the program deserve a share of the glory,” Mr Wilson said.

Nominate an unsung hero here.