‘I like motorcycles, and I like Lansdowne’, youth ambassador to Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids

Matthew Cowling to serve as ambassador for Charity Motorcycle Ride fundraiser

Matthew Cowling will be serving as youth ambassador for Lansdowne Children Centre for child development on June 28 at Brantford's loudest fundraiser, the Charity Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids.

Brian Kinrade, left, is leading volunteers in facilitating the 2025 Charity Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids, taking place June 28. Matthew Cowling, who has been accessing programs and services at Lansdowne for most of his life, will be serving as the centre’s ambassador for the event. His parents, Paula and Allan Cowling, said they’re deeply grateful for all the support Matthew and they have received from Lansdowne Children’s Centre through the years.

Matthew's tasks for the day will include waving the green flag to send the riders off, and the checkered flag at the end; he’ll also be presenting awards and sharing a bit of his story.

It’s a role he’s happy to take on.

“I like motorcycles, and I like Lansdowne. I have great memories,” said the 16-year-old.

Matthew first got connected to Lansdowne when he was a little over two years old. 

His mom, Paula Cowling, said that she used to bring him to Kids Can Fly parachute program in town; that’s where a Lansdowne staffer approached her and suggested they make an appointment with a pediatric doctor, because “there were some concerns about how he was playing.”

When Matthew was diagnosed with Autism, his dad, Allan Cowling, said, “It was scary and there was a lot of uncertainty” at first. “The doctor didn’t know if he would talk or anything.”

Paula added, “We didn’t get any direction from the doctor; you got left in the dark.”

The family did get connected to Lansdowne, though, which was the lifeline they needed, Paula said.

“Lansdowne was a great support system, and the staff were tremendous. Anything we needed support on, they would go to bat for us.” 

Allan agreed, “We couldn’t do it without Lansdowne.”

Matthew was able to access services in a number of areas at Lansdowne, including Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, and Autism Services; he’s a graduate from Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) therapy.

On top of that, Matthew has been involved in the Therapeutic Recreation program, working closely in particular with Tiffany Morgan, Program Supervisor in Therapeutic Recreation, over the years. In the program, he’s developed skills in a variety of areas, including horticulture, dance and cooking, where he learned to make cheeseburgers, “My favourite meal,” Matthew said. 

These days, a lot of Matthew’s time is dedicated to being an athlete with the Special Olympics, where he competes in bowling, swimming and in track and field. 

Seeing Matthew’s progress is really gratifying to the Lansdowne staff who worked closely with him when he was younger.

One such person is Rose Press, who is currently the Campaign Associate for the Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation, but was previously a Developmental Consultant.

“He’s grown into such a wonderful young man,” Press said. 

"Rose Press was a huge presence in our lives", shares Paula, "...and like Sue Battin, was instrumental in Matthew’s journey."

Lansdowne staff – in particular, Sue Battin, Autism Services Manager, and Ely MacDonald, Family Support Worker, Autism Services – have all been very supportive of Matthew as he’s grown up. 

“He really puts his all into learning. I think that’s what everyone fell in love with – they would make the effort, and he would reciprocate the effort, so there was always that wanting to push him and to teach him,” she said.

Allan noted that the family was very intentional about trying everything when it came to programs offered through Lansdowne.

“We never said no to anything. If, once (Matthew) was in it, it wasn’t for him, then we would stop,” he said, adding that he would encourage new families to Lansdowne to take the same approach.

Allan and Paula both expressed their gratitude for the programs offered to them as parents, too.

“It just made us feel so connected,” Paula said. “I think the biggest thing for Matthew and our family is that Lansdowne turned into a second family.”

The Lansdowne family will be getting a big boost of support from the community on Saturday, June 28 when Ensuring Brant presents the 21st running of the Charity Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids.

The event includes a hot lunch provided by Strodes BBQ, live entertainment featuring BarCode the Band presented by Maria's Pizza The Original, and – of course – the annual group motorcycle ride, with police-escort, recognized as Brantford's loudest fundraiser!

Lansdowne’s Executive Director, Rita-Marie Hadley, noted that the event has been,

“an amazing way our kids feel supported, not only seeing the supportive motorcycle-riding community turning out for Lansdowne, but perhaps gaining comfort around loud noises.”

For more information about the Charity Motorcycle Ride, to donate, or to register as a donor or volunteer, visit www.lansdownemotorcycleride.com 

@lansdownemotorcycleride on Facebook

As featured in BScene news, Brantford, ON