A CARE home resident is determined to defy mobility struggles by embarking on a sponsored walk to raise money for a charity close to his heart.
David Brown, 61, finds walking 'physically demanding' due to his condition - but is determined to complete the one-mile trek along Weymouth seafront.
He wants to raise money for Cycling Without Age, a charity which aims to help older people get out and about by offering trishaw rides.
David, a resident at a home run by Altogether Care Weymouth, has chosen the charity as it has provided him a sense of escapism by facilitating outdoor bike rides.
He will be setting off on the walk from Greenhill Gardens in Weymouth on Tuesday, May 7 at 1.45pm and will finish at Weymouth Pavilion.
David was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease five years ago, which damages nerve cells in the brain causing them to stop working properly.
Although he struggles with mobility, David is described by care workers as a very “social” and “active” person who loves going out in the community.
He was unable to be interviewed as he struggles with his speech, however he shared his excitement on his GoFundMe page in getting to fundraise for his chosen charity.
His statement read: “'Cycling Without Age - Weymouth' is an exceptional charity and their tireless volunteers take local elders and care home residents on delightful 'trishaw' cycle rides, providing them with the simple joy of feeling the wind in their hair. These rides not only foster social connections but also bridge generational gaps.
“As someone facing the challenges of Huntington’s disease, I cherish the opportunity to join these rides immensely as walking can be physically demanding for me. This makes my upcoming venture to walk one mile and raise funds for this remarkable charity all the more challenging.”
Lisa Matthews, activities coordinator at Altogether Care Weymouth, shared her pride and excitement for David’s fundraising challenge and would like to encourage as many people as possible to donate and spread the word.
She said: “He loves the bikes, makes a lot of people happy and he’s looking forward to the walk as it’s something for him to focus on.
“Even a small donation could help David reach his fundraising goal. And if you can't donate, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.”
You can donate to David's fundraiser by following the link on GoFundMe: https://tinyurl.com/dek565c5
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