2 minute read

Charity Ride

from WhatsUp in Disability Magazine Jul Aug 2023

from WhatsUp in Disability Magazine Jul Aug 2023, page 22

Australian

By Aaron Bunch AAP

Hartley Lifecare and SpinalCure Australia. Kathryn Borkovic, SpinalCure Australia's chief executive, hopes the ride will encourage people with spinal cord injury to enrol in Project Spark clinical trials that are taking place now.

"Not only could he set a new record (but) he will also raise awareness and donations for Project Spark, a series of neurostimulation clinical trials under way in Australia that SpinalCure is funding," she said.

Neurostimulation is the world's most promising experimental therapy for acute spinal cord injury and could be developed in a short time frame.

"These trials are the first step in taking the groundbreaking treatment out of the lab and into the lives of people living with a spinal injury," Ms Borkovic said.

Mr Kerec completed a similar challenge in 2017 when he rode his mountain bike 5551km from his hometown Canberra to Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory, raising $130,000.

After he reaches Byron Bay, Mr Kerec plans to continue riding south to Canberra, making his total journey 6820km in 80 days.

His father will join him on the final stretch on September 11 using a hand cycle, along with a large group of friends, family and supporters on their bikes.

There are over 20,000 people in Australia with spinal cord injury, with no current treatment available to mitigate the devastating impact on their lives and their loved ones.

The record attempt has been registered with the Road Record Association of Australia.

Local Legend Tony Wigan

Tony is a local legend who hosts his own talk show twice a week on Toowoomba’s 102.7 FM radio.

With 30 years hospitality experience, Tony owned the café, Rendezvous on Ruthven until 2019. He has always been vocal about his love for his community, telling The Chronicle, “There are a lot of talented people in Toowoomba, and we should be using them.”

Since beginning his radio career on Colour Radio 4LG in Longreach when he finished high school, Tony has worked with various radio stations across Queensland including Brisbane 4IP, 4LM and 4WK.

Tony is a big supporter of WhatsUp in Disability and has been the MC for a number of our community events as well as producing our community announcements.

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