For 30 years, Logan City local Charlie Bennett said his wife, Jenny, was doing well coping with MS, but in 2013 he became her full time carer.
“We knew it would eventually catch her,” Mr Bennet said. “It’s like someone running behind you and you can feel their breath on the back of your neck.”
“It’s a terrible, terrible disease and I hate it.”
Now in its 31st year, the MS Brissie to Bay ride is vital to helping raise awareness and funds for the disease, and Mr Bennet is encouraging the community to get behind the cause.
“The ride is more for the families and just enjoying the day,” he said. “There’s no racing, there’s no prize for being first or second place, you just enjoy the day.”
Credit: Charlie Bennett
Mr Bennet said the reason he joined in the fundraising ride, which goes ahead Sunday June 13, is for his wife, who was diagnosed with MS almost 48 years ago. The couple have been married for 43 years this year.
“The people who suffer from MS have such strength and such resilience, it’s beyond my comprehension,” Mr Bennett said.
The 2021 MS Brissie to Bay ride starts in South Brisbane and breaks up into different rides, from 10km, 25km, 50km, 100km and this year there’s a 130km ride.
“This year there’s about 6,000 riders signed on,” Mr Bennett said. “The people who are riding are all riding for the same reason, they’re not riding for themselves, they’re riding for the people they know with MS, or there are others who just want to help raise funds to go towards MS.
“There’s no egos, there’s no one saying ‘I’m going to beat you, or I’m better than you’, we’re just all together as one big team.”
As the riders make their way towards the finish line, Mr Bennett said they are greeted by the Cheer Club, made up of those living with MS.
“When you come down the final chute, and they’re all cheering and clapping and yelling, it’s an absolutely amazing feeling,” he said.
To donate to Team Jenny, click here. To sign up for the 2021 MS Brissie to Bay ride, click here.
