Josh Rees doesn’t like to let his wheelchair hold him back.
Josh, 32, from Sutherland, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and relies on his electric wheelchair to get around.
The Cronulla Sharks tragic, who recently overcame testicular cancer, loves getting out and about to pursue his studies or watch the footy – but often faces transport issues.
A family friend, Trent Elkin, recently came up with an idea to help support his good mate.
Elkin and a group of friends will ride their bikes 622km from Sydney to Wagga Wagga in late September. The plan is to raise $10,000 to deck out a car – for Josh and his mum Christine Rees – so they can transport his electric wheelchair.
Josh said he was rapt with the show of support.
“Mum mentioned that he had talked to her about [raising some funds] recently. So it is nice to hear he is doing this for me.”
Josh said he became good friends with Elkin after they met at a nearby gym.
“I went to train with him every Saturday morning or through the week. He was as tough as nails, he gave me nothing, but I could take it.”
At present, their family car isn’t capable of transporting the electric wheelchair. Meanwhile, it is becoming harder for his mum to assist him with a non-electric wheelchair.
It means Josh relies heavily on public transport.
Elkin, a former Cronulla Sharks trainer, said he had been good friends with both Josh and his late father.
He said a group of his friends were planning to bike to Wagga Wagga to take part in a biking event called The Rapha Dirty 130. He said he decided to merge the ride with raising money for Josh.
“We are good mates. And I thought if we are going to ride for a few days why not raise a bit of money.”
Josh’s mum Christine said they were very grateful for the help.
- To help support the fund raiser click here.