LES Porter is always striving to help other people. As a Salvation Army volunteer, Mr Porter does what he can to help Wyndham’s homeless and struggling residents by taking part in fund-raisers or helping prepare meals.
On Saturday, Mr Porter will begin his biggest fund-raising event of the year, the Wyndham 1000.
As part of the annual ride, he will ride 1000 kilometres around Wyndham during three weeks to raise money for Wyndham City Salvation Army.
The money will be used to create care packs for homeless people. The packs will include soap, towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
‘‘So many homeless people come into the Salvation Army and they don’t even have the basics,’’ Mr Porter said.
‘‘We want to get kits made up so that they have soap and toothpaste and other things we take for granted.’’
Completing the ride will be no easy feat for Mr Porter, who was hit by a car 25 years ago.
The accident left him with balance problems, limited movement in his left arm and an acquired brain injury.
It’s the third time Mr Porter has done the Wyndham 1000, an initiative he started as a way of raising money for the community.
‘‘This is my way of giving back. All the money will go towards welfare. This is local money going back into the local community to help those in need.’’
The ride begins at Werribee Plaza on Saturday at 10am. It will end at the plaza on November 10.
More details: Wyndham City Salvation Army on 9741 7359.
