Welshpool mining company Big Yellow is stepping up for vulnerable young mums, sponsoring Youth Futures’ 600km pipeline bike ride challenge.
Riders will push off on April 29 from Kalgoorlie, pedalling more than 600km to Perth over five days as part of the pipeline challenge.
Returning for its 11th year, the event raises funds for the Youth Futures Nest program, providing critical support for young families struggling with homelessness.
Big Yellow chief executive Mitch Wallace said the bike ride meant a lot to his company.
“This event has history for us. It’s not just about the ride, it’s about real impact. If you’ve ever sat at the finish line in Parkerville and listened to the stories of these resilient young families, you’ll know what I mean. It pulls at your heart,” he said.
“Our people are all in – volunteering, riding, raising funds and sharing the message.”
Mr Wallace also stepped in as ride director when the event was at risk of not going ahead last year.
Camera IconBig Yellow CEO Mitch Wallace. Credit: Supplied
“We’ve taken part in the event for a few years, but when we heard the ride might not happen in 2025, we didn’t wait. We stepped up, fast-tracked our support, and helped bring it back – organising the whole event and making sure it went ahead,” he said.
“Last year we added a new feature, the CEO Challenge, a 78km one-day ride from Grass Valley to Parkerville, on the final day.
“We want leaders out on the trail, connecting with their teams, mentoring young people, and showing that action beats intention every time.”
Nest gives parents aged 16 to 25 access a safe home for up to two years and offers personal support from youth workers while young parents plan for the future.
It also helps them maintain custody of their babies when dealing with homelessness or unsafe living situations.
“Most people don’t know that if a young woman doesn’t have a fixed address, her baby can be taken into state care. That’s the reality,” Mr Wallace said.
“This isn’t a polished, corporate charity event. There are no five-star finish lines or celebrity selfies. It’s dusty. It’s tough. It’s real.
“But every dollar raised goes straight to the Nest outreach and housing program, helping young mums stay with their babies, stay housed, and rebuild their lives. That’s what matters.”
First-time rider Micah Manger will be participating in the single day ride on May 3, travelling 78km from Grass Valley to Parkerville.
Camera IconMicah Manger will take on the one-day 78km pipeline ride to support young mums through the Young Futures Nest program. Credit: Supplied
A Fremantle-based search and rescue crew member, Ms Manger said she was excited to take on an adventure for another critical cause.
“I am doing the challenge as part of a team of four. We are a rowing team, a group of four Perth girls,” she said.
“We are all frontline workers and are very aware of the lack of funding and disparity in access to support for essential services like Youth Futures and their Nest program.”
She heard about the ride from Mr Wallace. Big Yellow is also sponsoring her rowing team in another massive fundraiser that will take the rowing crew across the Atlantic Ocean for the World’s Toughest Row in June.
“Soon we will be doing an unsupported and self-contained row across the Atlantic Ocean – 4800km, to raise funds for Ruah Community Services and the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” Ms Manger said.
“Just like Youth Futures Nest program, these are all essential services that really lack the funding they need and deserve.”
Camera IconCassie Gaff, Micah Manger, Chelsea Tanner and Laura Lily are also participating in the World’s Toughest Row in June. Credit: Supplied
Five per cent of Big Yellow’s profits go to not-for-profits such as Youth Futures.
Mr Wallace said the company’s number one priority this year was the pipeline challenge, and it is hoping to raise more than $1 million after last year’s record-breaking fundraiser.
“We’re keeping overheads at zero. We’re planning donation matching again this year,” he said.
“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and guests at the launch event we raised over $120,000 on the evening, with every dollar going directly to the Youth Futures Nest program.”
Youth Futures chief executive Michelle Jenkins said given WA’s current housing crisis, providing flexible support for young parents was desperately needed.
“Teen parents and their babies are becoming homeless after being forced from home – they are in immediate crisis,” she said.
“Youth Futures stands between teen parents and the street, providing beds, meals and stability when there’s no government funding to fall back on.”
Every dollar raised through the pipeline bike ride goes towards the Nest program.
In 2025, Nest supported 97 young families who sought help, but was unable to meet the needs of everyone who reached out due to capacity constraints.
“This program relies on community support to survive. Pipeline doesn’t just fund a cycling event, it directly funds beds, meals and life-changing support for young parents and their babies,” Ms Jenkins said.
“This is why the Nest exists. And why the commitment of our partners and community continues to make such a meaningful difference.”
Since 2015, more than 600 riders and support crew across WA have joined the ride, raising more than $1.5m.
Mr Wallace said Big Yellow’s sponsorship of the pipeline challenge has helped bring the community together to make a meaningful difference for young mothers and their families.
“For Big Yellow, the event reflects our values of leadership, teamwork, and creating meaningful social impact beyond business,” he said.
“Together we will make a difference, the 2026 ride will be bigger and better and we can’t wait.”