A Life Reignited: Carol Spence’s Ride to Purpose

At Hands Across the Water, we believe that every act of courage, kindness, or compassion can change a life. Carol Spence’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the life transformed first is your own, and that from personal healing comes the strength to uplift others.

Carol’s journey with Hands began not on a bike, but on a path of recovery. After enduring a serious accident that led to multiple surgeries and three long years of rehabilitation, she found herself in a place of emotional and physical stagnation. Life had slowed to a crawl, and the spark she once carried felt distant.

Then came a spark of something different, something bold.

“I heard about this incredible 800km charity ride in Thailand,” Carol recalls. “I did some research, and together with my best friend Miranda, we decided to go all in. Get fit. Get well. Raise $20,000. I needed a challenge, and I found it with Hands.”
That decision would become a defining moment in Carol’s life.

At 61 years old, with her children grown and her business ticking along, Carol signed up for her first Ride to Provide in 2014. It was the commitment she needed to reignite her sense of purpose.

“I was pretty miserable before that ride. But suddenly, I had training schedules, fundraising goals, and something to look forward to. There wasn’t time to be miserable anymore—I had a mission.”

And then came the ride itself.

That first pedal into Baan Than Namchai (BTN) will forever be etched in Carol’s heart. “It was overwhelming, the love I felt, being surrounded by all those beautiful kids. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I realised I’d found something much bigger than just a bike ride.”

It wasn’t just the children or the impact that moved her, it was the community she instantly became part of.

“I looked around at the start line and thought, ‘I’m not a real bike rider.’ Everyone looked so professional in their matching kits. But by the end of that first day, I knew I was part of this team. I was part of a family. And I never looked back.”

Since then, Carol has taken on not just one but multiple challenges—including a back-to-back 1600km ride the very next year. But more than the kilometres covered, it's the transformation that defines her story.

“I’ve become more confident. I tell my friends: if I can ride 800km in eight days, you can too.”

Her story has become a quiet inspiration to many in the Hands community—especially those who once thought they were ‘too old’ or ‘not fit enough.’ Carol proves that the heart has no age limit. Her passion and persistence are reminders that transformation doesn’t just belong to the young, it belongs to the brave.

Behind her strength are the people who believed in her: her husband George, who supported her training even before she convinced him to ride; Miranda, who stood by her from the start; Pete and Claire, whose leadership continues to inspire; and most of all, Mae Thiew, whose legacy and love for the children of Hands continues to shine through everything Carol does.

“Getting to know Mae Thiew has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Her light inspires me to go a little further, to give a little more.”

Carol has given a lot.

From her continued fundraising efforts to her involvement in the Hands Task Force, Carol is tireless in her support. But she’ll be the first to tell you: Hands has given her even more in return.

“Every ride, every home, every person I meet along the way—they give me more than I could ever hope for. This community is magical.”

She speaks of serenity now, a word that once felt out of reach, but now feels real. The deep peace of knowing she belongs somewhere. That she is part of something meaningful. That her efforts ripple far beyond what she can see.

Carol’s home in Opoutere brings her peace and gratitude—but so does the home she’s found in Thailand.

“Home is where my heart is. And when I’m at Home Hug or BTN, I feel empowered by the difference we’re making. Determination and love, that’s what it takes.”

She’s especially proud of the message she can send to other riders: that age is not a barrier. That if she can do it, they can too. She hopes her legacy encourages others to start their own Hands journey and to keep riding, fundraising, and showing up for as long as they can.

When asked what Hands has taught her about life, Carol’s answer is simple and powerful: “Empathy. Overcoming challenges. Purpose.”

Hands has not just shaped her view of the world, it has shaped her place in it. From a woman in recovery to a woman with renewed vision and energy, Carol has become an example of what is possible when you say yes to something bigger than yourself.
And her advice to anyone considering joining Hands?

“Get involved. Get off the couch and on the bike. Once you’ve visited a home, you’ll never look back.”

Carol’s story is a beautiful example of how giving back doesn’t just impact others—it transforms you. It’s a story of resilience, of second chances, of purpose found on two wheels and a road filled with hope.

“Hands means hope for the future for many, many kids in Thailand,” Carol says.

And for all of us lucky enough to know her, it means the same for those who ride with her.

Buy Tickets for the Night of Celebration

A Life Reignited: Carol Spence’s Ride to Purpose

Updates

Impact

Get Involved