Despite living with severe spinal problems, the optimistic archery enthusiast, began a four-day adventure early yesterday, starting from Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs with hopes of finishing in Bendigo by Saturday.

Travelling on a red Celebrity XL Deluxe scooter, Les will travel roughly 380 kilometers, with stops in Sea Lake, Wycherproof and Bridgewater, raising $2000 along the way to aid juvenile diabetes research.

“Honestly if I could get 1000 people to donate even five cents, I’d be happy,” he said.

Jo Clutterbuck, secretary of the Sunraysia Juvenile Diabetes Support Group, said Les’s ride was an important step in bringing diabetes research into the spotlight.

Mrs Clutterbuck said it had been “very tough” ever since her son, Jorrin, 10 was diagnosed with the disease two years ago.

“It’s devastating,” she said.

“When I found out my son had juvenile diabetes I cried for about a month.”

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Wednesday’s Sunraysia Daily 15/04/2009.