1938 - 2024
Remembering John Matthews: A Tribute to a Beloved Bicycle Network Volunteer
John Matthews, a cherished member of the Bicycle Network family, passed away last month at the age of 86 after a brief illness.
For more than 16 years, John selflessly volunteered his time and skills at Bicycle Network’s office, beginning his journey with the team in May of 2006. A qualified accountant, John turned to volunteering as a way to share his expertise and stay active in his retirement. His impact was felt most notably within the Finance Team, where he dedicated 15 years of service before transitioning to the Events Team, where he continued to contribute through administrative support.
In recognition of his unwavering commitment, John was inducted into Bicycle Network’s Honour Board in 2016 and was honoured with Life Membership in 2017, a testament to the profound impact he had on the organisation and its mission.
Chamara Karunarathne, Bicycle Network’s General Manager of Finance, expressed deep sadness at John’s passing, highlighting his invaluable contributions to the team and his enduring passion for making a difference.
“John was a fabulous member of the finance team for many years, helping us deliver Bicycle Network’s mission. His dedication, time, energy, and passion helped us support the finance team and brought warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm to every task, inspiring us all with his unwavering commitment to making a difference. While his physical presence may be gone, his spirit and legacy will continue to live on in the memories and hearts of those he touched.”
Sarah Cunningham, Volunteer Manager, fondly remembered John as one of the most kind-hearted individuals she had ever worked with, noting the positive impact he had on the office atmosphere. “The office was always a better and brighter place when he was around”.
“John had the most incredible outlook on life and I learnt so much from him. When I first joined Bicycle Network, I remember him telling me all about how much he felt he belonged here – that despite his age, he matched the youthful, ‘go-getting’ energy of the team. He taught me that age really is just a number and that you can continue to learn new things, make a difference and live life to the fullest”.
“He also cherished the relationships he built with his Bicycle Network family.
He took a lot of joy in following the career paths of those who left the organisation during his tenure, keeping in touch through LinkedIn”.
Bicycle Network’s Event Manager, Jaimie Collins, remembers John as “sunshine in human form”.
“He would always come into the office with the biggest smile, be genuinely happy to see the team, and take interest in how we were doing. When John joined the events team, he was a wonderful support with admin tasks and research and could see the joy it brought him to be sitting with Arthur working on tasks together. Whenever he had a moment spare, you’d always find John working away at a crossword puzzle.”
Reflecting on her father’s dedication, John’s daughter Tara Scobie shared, “John cherished the 16 years he spent volunteering at Bicycle Network, where he met many wonderful people and proudly became a life member. These years were truly the highlight of his retirement. He treasured the memories captured in his collection of photos and special cards.
“We want to express our gratitude to everyone who worked alongside John and enriched his life with friendship and kindness”.
Thank you and farewell John.