Top End Wheelchair—the adaptive sports and recreation manufacturing division of Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC)—announced today its sponsorship of the “Raley Road Trip: Cycling It Forward to Benefit Boot Campaign.”
Paralyzed U.S. Army Veteran and Top End Factory Pilot Ricky Raley will handcycle more than 1500 miles from New York City to Pinellas Park, Florida, from August 13-25 to raise awareness of the service and sacrifice of the military community and raise $150,000 for the national non-profit organization Boot Campaign and its health and wellness pipeline.
“We are extraordinarily proud to support Ricky on his ride to benefit the Boot Campaign, and in turn other veterans in need of treatment and training programs for traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, self-medication and insomnia,” said Jonathan Miller, senior director, mobility and seating, at Invacare Corporation. “His dedication to the cause, grit and perseverance inspires us all.”
For two weeks, Raley will cycle more than 100 miles a day switching between three Top End handcycles: the lightweight and adjustable Top End® Force™ RX Handcycle, the sleek and stiff Top End® Force™-3 Handcycle and the fast and powerful Top End® Force™ G Handcycle. Each handcycle has been custom fitted to meet Ricky’s needs.
The ride will culminate with Ricky riding into the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch in Pinellas Park, Florida, on August 25 for an end event celebration that will be open to the public.
Raley joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2004 and his unit, known as the Avengers, conducted more than 200 combat missions and covered more than 250,000 miles in convoy escorts in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On one mission, the truck carrying Raley and his teammates tripped an improvised explosive device (IED). Raley and two others in the truck at the time sustained mild traumatic brain injuries and were awarded Purple Hearts.
To learn more, donate and volunteer to be part of the Raley Road Trip, visitwww.bootcampaign.org/events/ricky-raley-road-trip/.
About the Boot Campaign
Established in 2011, Boot Campaign is a national non-profit organization dedicated to igniting the inner patriot in all Americans and providing life-improving programs to Veterans and active duty military families. Retail sales of combat boots, apparel and mission-focused merchandise, donations and corporate sponsorships fund our efforts to support thousands of military personnel from every generation who have endured significant physical, emotional and circumstantial hardships resulting from their service and sacrifice. Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and a GuideStar Exchange Gold Member, more than 80% of funds raised by Boot Campaign go directly to our mission-minded programs. To learn more, visit www.bootcampaign.org and follow us Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @bootcampaign.
