Next Big Ride For Nathan

Nathan McDowell is back on his bike to raise awareness of his rare disease and this time you can join him.

The 32-year-old will complete a four-day fundraising ride from Kingaroy to Redcliffe to increase awareness of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), with the support of Holistic Horizons Support Services in Margate.

Holistic Horizons marketing and communication officer Julie Latcham said Nathan was inviting anyone to ride with him on Friday, 1 July.

“He will be leaving at approximately 9:30am from Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail,” Julie said. “It will take approximately two and a half to three hours at Nathan’s pace.”

Joining Nathan will be Redcliffe Hospital’s Director of Research Dr Joel Dulhunty. The pair met earlier this year to discuss their passion for long distance bike riding.

Holistic Horizons Director Drew Cason said it had always been Nathan’s dream to do long-distance rides.

“Last year he did that amazing six-day ride from Noosa to Redcliffe, which built that passion in him to keep going,” Drew said. “It’s great that he wants to raise more money and awareness. I hope he is riding for years to come.”

Nathan is the oldest living person with PMD, a type of leukodystrophy that affects the central nervous system.

“I want to raise awareness for my genetic disease and it would be good if someone took an interest in researching PMD in Australia,” Nathan said. “I want to find a cure for it if I can.”

He said he would put any money raised from the ride towards his life passions, including upgrading his hand cycle to an e-bike that will assist him on challenging hills and in other difficult terrain.

“Nathan also likes to donate 10 percent of what he raises to Leukodystrophy Australia, as that is one of the only known charities that fundraises and researches genetic diseases,” Julie said.

“Nathan wants his ride to be a regular charity ride every year and for it to be a registered charity in its own right, called Ride for Nathan. He wants to leave behind a legacy, so that when he is gone, people will know Ride for Nathan.”

Contact Julie on julie@holistichorizons.com.au if you would like to sponsor Nathan or donate raffle gifts. To support Nathan on his big ride by making a donation go to gofund.me/82e3ec7f and follow his fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nathansbig...

Ride for Nathan
Tuesday, 28 June to Saturday, 2 July
Kingaroy to Redcliffe