AN extraordinary journey of remembrance and human kindness rolled into Macksville on Monday afternoon when former London firefighter Stephen Aslin stopped at Macksville to be treated to some Nambucca Valley hospitality.
Aslin pulled up at the Macksville Fire Station during his remarkable 48,280 kilometre charity cycling expedition around the world.
The former firefighter is undertaking the mammoth ride to raise funds for The Grenfell Foundation and keep alive the memory of the 72 people who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London in 2017.
Aslin left North Kensington in west London on 14 June 2025, marking the eighth anniversary of the devastating fire that forever changed the community in which he grew up and served.
His departure took place from a local school situated near Grenfell Tower.
Following a 72 second silence in honour of the victims, supporters lined the street outside in a show of solidarity that he described as “overwhelming”.
Among those lost in the tragedy were his school friend Ernie Vital and Ernie’s mother, Marjorie.
Stephen said his ride is dedicated to all those who died and the community left scarred by the disaster.
His ambitious route is taking him unassisted across Europe, through the Middle East, Central and South Asia and into Australia.
Ultimately, he hopes to reach Ground Zero in New York in time for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in 2026, before returning home to London.
Throughout his travels, Aslin has made a point of visiting as many fire stations as possible, using the journey to raise awareness about the Grenfell tragedy, fire safety and the fact that, almost nine years later, there have been no convictions.
Speaking with News Of The Area during his stop in Macksville, he reflected on the experiences that have made the journey so memorable.
“The highlight of this trip, in the many countries I have been in, is the overwhelming kindness of the people I meet and their willingness to engage and share stories and a laugh,” he said.
“There have been no real negatives on this solo effort so far however the long stretches of open space, such as the Nullarbor Plain, without much to look at, does make the mind wonder.”
Aslin generally rises at 7am each morning and spends five to six hours cycling each day.
Regular servicing of his bicycle has helped him avoid mechanical problems, and Macksville was no exception, with the rider taking the opportunity to ensure everything was in good working order.
Despite Aslin’s late afternoon arrival into Macksville, the team at The Wheelsmith Cycles in Wallace Street swung into action and provided him with a service and parts free of charge.
“When we found out what this incredible bloke was doing and why, we were more than happy to help,” Jayson Clark, The Wheelsmith’s owner/operator, told NOTA.
“One of our staff members here, Wayne, is a volunteer firefighter himself, so Stephen’s story was close to our hearts.”
Already, his incredible journey has taken him to the Taj Mahal and afforded him views of the Himalayas.
Yet despite the spectacular landmarks, it is the people he meets and the stories they share that continue to leave the greatest impression.
Those wishing to follow Stephen’s progress or support his cause can search online for Grenfell – Tower2Tower 2025 and follow the links to learn more about his mission.
As the former firefighter continues his journey towards New York, he carries with him not only the memory of those lost at Grenfell, but also a message of remembrance, fire safety and the enduring bonds that connect firefighters and communities across the world.
By Mick BIRTLES
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