Tim Quirk (24) of Rivervale with his father Russell, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.
Camera IconTim Quirk (24) of Rivervale with his father Russell, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Disease gives son reason to run for a good cause

Staff ReporterWestern Suburbs Weekly

The 61-year-old former builder was diagnosed with MS, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, in 1991 after experiencing various unexplained symptoms for a decade.

‘For quite a long time there was little things going wrong and no one could put a label on it,’ Russell said.

Confined to a wheelchair and unable to use his left hand, Russell is still trying to live life to the fullest travelling Australia with his wife Joanne and supporting his 24-year-old son Tim’s campaign to take part in the Run for a Reason to raise money for the MS Society of WA.

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Tim said his father initially laughed at the idea of him running 12km.

‘I’ve been training for a few months a couple of times a week ” I couldn’t run 1km when I started,’ Tim said.

Within eight hours of setting up his fundraising page, Tim reached his goal of $500 and is now running with a team of 30 members ” Quick’s FIG JAM Crew ” that aims to raise more than $20,000 and be one of the top three fundraising teams.

Personally, Tim is aiming to run the 12km in under an hour, which would get him an additional $500 in donations.

However, behind the fundraising and the support of the MS Society of WA is Russell’s wife of 28 years, Joanne, who is his full-time carer.

‘She’s the glue of our family,’ Tim said.

The Run for a Reason is on May 26.

To donate to the Quick’s FIG JAM Crew, visit www.hbfrunfundraising.com.au/tim_quick.