Fiji500 cyclists pedal for life-saving oxygen in remote communities
What began as a casual idea on a business trip across Viti Levu has grown into one of Fiji’s most visible and impactful charity cycling events. Now in its fifth year, the Fiji500 — a 500-kilometre ride that circumnavigates the island — again draws riders from New Zealand and Australia to raise funds for the Cure Kids Fiji Oxygen Project.
Co-founders Reuben Tucker and his wife Alex Robertson say the event’s origins were personal. “We’ve been extraordinarily fortunate to raise three healthy boys,” Reuben said, adding that Fiji500 is their way of giving back to families who haven’t been as lucky.
The ride launched in 2017 with just 12 cyclists and a small support crew and initially raised funds for a school roof. The focus changed after organisers learned that more than 200 Fijian children die each year because of lack of access to medical oxygen. “The Oxygen Project actually found us,” Reuben said. “We saw a chance to raise funds for something that could have a real, positive impact for Fiji.”
Since partnering with Cure Kids Fiji and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Fiji Oxygen Project reports substantial results. Over eight years the program has reached more than 90,000 patients, with around 11,000 receiving life‑saving oxygen. Nine solar-powered oxygen facilities have been installed in remote communities and about $1.1 million of critical medical equipment has been provided. Since the height of the pandemic the initiative has delivered over 300 oxygen concentrators, trained more than 1,000 health workers, and treated over 50,000 patients, according to Cure Kids Fiji.
The four-day cycling route is deliberately challenging — steep climbs, heat and long days in the saddle — but riders say the route’s remote villages, beaches, rivers and forests make it uniquely rewarding. Reuben recalls swapping bikes for a bullock cart during a past ride and being greeted by cheering villagers singing “Bula!” as the peloton passed through Korovou.
Dr Jimaima Kailawadoko-Matanaicake, country manager for Cure Kids Fiji, stresses the urgency of the work. “Pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of death among children in Fiji,” she said. While major hospitals have stabilised oxygen supply, rural and maritime facilities still face unreliable electricity and other hurdles. Cure Kids Fiji is addressing that by solarising remote health facilities so oxygen concentrators can run continuously.
The project’s success rests on partnerships — including support from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the University of Auckland, corporate sponsors and local NGOs — and a commitment to transparency. Dr Jimaima says every dollar raised goes directly into health programs and donors can follow impact through annual reports, audits and regular updates. Long‑term sustainability will require stronger collaboration across health, energy and environmental sectors.
Community fundraising around Cure Kids Fiji also continues beyond cycling. Recent events such as the Cure Kids Big Drives golf fundraiser raised FJD $37,500 to support child health programs including the Rheumatic Heart Disease programme and the Fiji Oxygen Programme, reinforcing the broad community backing for these initiatives.
How to get involved
Individuals and companies in Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and beyond are encouraged to support the cause. To donate, register interest for the 2026 ride, or explore corporate sponsorship, visit fiji500.curekids.org.nz or curekids.org.fj.
Additional comments and context
– Solar-powered oxygen concentrators are a practical, durable solution for off-grid and intermittently powered health clinics: solar arrays charge batteries that keep concentrators running overnight and during cloudy periods, reducing dependence on diesel generators and unreliable grids.
– Fundraising events across sectors — cycling challenges, golf tournaments and corporate partnerships — multiply impact by combining public engagement, donor funding and volunteer effort. Smaller community events can be effective ways to raise local awareness and support.
– Complementary programs such as health worker training, community screening for respiratory illness and RHD, and stronger referral pathways to hospitals are essential to convert equipment donations into lasting improvements in child survival.
Summary
Fiji500 has grown from a 12-rider fundraiser into an influential four-day charity ride supporting the Cure Kids Fiji Oxygen Project. The initiative has helped establish solarised oxygen facilities, delivered equipment and training to remote clinics, and reached tens of thousands of patients. Organisers and health partners say continued community support and cross-sector collaboration are vital to ensure no child in Fiji dies for lack of oxygen.
A hopeful note
The combination of grassroots fundraising, targeted medical equipment, solar solutions for unreliable power, and trained local health workers has already saved lives and changed care in remote areas. With sustained support and partnerships, the momentum from events like Fiji500 can help ensure continuous oxygen access for every community in Fiji.
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