For 13-year-old Ryder, there’s nowhere he’d rather be than fishing on the Murray River. This Christmas, he’s sharing that love with people right across South Australia as the artist behind the 2026 BIG W Christmas Heart Token.
Behind his cheerful design is a story of courage, creativity and the care that carried him through one of the toughest times of his young life.
Australia Day 2024 started like so many Riverland summer days. Ryder was out on the river with his family, kneeboarding in the sunshine and making the most of the school holidays.
Later that day, he developed a severe headache and began vomiting. Doctors first thought it was a migraine, but over the next few days Ryder kept getting worse. A scan then showed what was really happening: a cyst covering more than quarter of his brain had ruptured.
A build-up of fluid around Ryder’s brain caused painful headaches, sickness and double vision, while his care team worked tirelessly to find the safest way forward.
What followed were countless trips in and out of hospital. For a family from Renmark, that meant long stretches in Adelaide, hours from home.
Through it all, Ryder’s mum, Kelly, says his spirit never faded.
“He never complained about the constant MRIs, the needles, or being stuck in hospital away from his family and friends,” Kelly said. “He just took it all in his stride, always with a smile.”
In March 2026, Ryder underwent surgery to insert a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, helping to relieve the pressure around his brain.
Hospital became a big part of Ryder’s life, but it was also where a new passion grew.
To help pass the long days on the ward, Ryder spent hours painting and drawing. For Ryder, art offered comfort, connection and a welcome distraction during a long hospital stay. Through support from the WCH Foundation Arts in Health program, his creativity flourished, continuing beyond hospital walls through an exhibition featuring his work.
Now, his creativity is set to bring joy to others too.
His 2026 BIG W Christmas Heart design shows a scene close to his heart: Santa relaxing in a boat on the Murray River, casting a fishing line into the water. It blends the magic of Christmas with the river lifestyle Ryder loves.
For Ryder and his family, seeing his artwork on the BIG W Christmas Heart Token is a special milestone. It celebrates his talent, and the journey that brought him here.
Kelly says their time at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital showed them first-hand how much community support matters.
“The care and love we received from the hospital was amazing. It made a very hard time so much easier, especially being hours away from home and family,” she said.
Today, Ryder is back at school, spending time with friends, fishing on the Murray and enjoying the things he loves most.
You can help more children like Ryder by purchasing a BIG W Christmas Heart Token in store this festive season. Every token sold supports the WCH Foundation, helping create brighter hospital experiences for children and families.
Find your local BIG W store here.
