Steven Knezevich at last year’s Dwellingup 100.
Camera IconSteven Knezevich at last year’s Dwellingup 100. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cannington man to tackle Dwellingup 100 for friends’ son

Pia van StraalenCanning Gazette

ON Saturday , Cannington’s Steven Knezevich will take the gruelling Dwellingup 100 as part of Muscular Dystrophy (MD) WA’s (MDWA) Ride For Someone Who Can’t campaign.

The intrepid Mr Knezevich will join his friends Steve Hughes and Jodie Hatherly whose son Charlie Hughes (5) was born with MD.

MDWA has supported the family since Charlie was 18 months old and the little boy’s parents wanted to do something to show their appreciation.

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In 2012, Team Charlie was born out of their support and this year a team of 11, including Mr Knezevich, are taking on the Act-Belong-Commit Dwellingup 100 and hope to raise $20,000.

It has been said that every kilometre on a mountain bike trail is at least equivalent to two on the road and Mr Knezevich said when his legs startto cramp he would draw inspiration from Charlie to keep going.

It will be Mr Knezevich’s third ride and he said he participated to draw attention to the good work of MDWA.

“It’s a great cause, 100km on a bike is the least I can do… hopefully good people doing good things like ride in the Dwellingup 100 (will) make people aware of (MD),” he said.

Muscular dystrophy has robbed Charlie of the ability to walk but certainly has not dampened his spirits and heart-warming smile.

Charlie requires around the clock assistance for everything he does, even for simple tasks like picking up a toy, but gets around at great speeds with his electric wheelchair.

Charlie attends many MDWA functions as Junior Ambassador; he is even known to chase event participants for a donation as he shakes a tin.

Since 2010, more than $500,000 has been raised through the Ride for Someone Who Can’t campaign.

This year, the MDWA team aims to raise $100,000 to enrich the lives of West Australians living with muscular dystrophy, a genetic neuromuscular condition, which affects more than 20,000 Australians and has no cure.

With more than 70 types of muscular dystrophy identified, the severity and deterioration of muscle strength and function varies, making the task of treating the condition even more difficult.

MDWA believes no one should be defined by their condition and are passionate about seeing the muscular dystrophy community as people first and enabling them to do the things they strive to achieve.

To make a donation to Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia visit: https://everydayhero.com.au/event/ridefswc2016