Les Porter. Photo: Damjan Janevski
The Wyndham community has rallied around a charity rider to ensure he continues to do what he does best.
Les Porter has limited mobility on the left side of his body after suffering a brain injury when he was struck by a car in 1987.
He has refused to let his disability slow him down and for the past four years has organised a sponsored solo charity ride around Wyndham.
Mr Porter’s ‘Wyndham 1000’ raises money for the Wyndham Salvation Army corps.
Because of his condition, he completes the event on a custom-built tricycle.
But earlier this year, it became clear his ageing trike would have too many miles on it for this year’s ride.
“The old trike had done 4000 kilometres, plus about half of that during training,” Mr Porter says. “The past two years it’s had to be repaired during the ride.”
After learning that Mr Porter was in need of a new mode of transport, Wyndham Rotary Club sprung into action and, with the help of an anonymous benefactor, raised $700.
Ted’s Cycles in Werribee donated its time and customised the new trike, making it suitable for Mr Porter to ride.
Wyndham Salvation Army Captain Lance Jeffrey said the new trike would help Mr Porter raise even more money for charity, with his grand total already sitting at about $50,000.
“This money really helps us to run a lot of our community programs,” Mr Jeffrey said.
“All of our community support services benefit from Les’s work.”
With the next Wyndham 1000 starting on Saturday, October 11, Mr Porter says he has no plans to slow down.
“When I can’t do it any more, that’s when I’ll stop.’’
