Toowoomba teenager with Leukodystrophy tackling 10km Hike for Homeless charity event

Tim Riley has made a habit out of smashing doctors’ expectations. In a wheelchair just three years ago, the Toowoomba teen will tackle his biggest challenge yet this weekend.

Billy Drury, Tim Riley, James Nutt and Nat Spary are ready for Hike for the Homeless on Saturday. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Three years ago, Tim Riley was in a wheelchair and told by doctors he would likely never walk again.

Now the Toowoomba teenager, who has a rare brain disease called Leukodystrophy, has built up the strength to tackle a 10km walk across tough terrain at Jubilee Park as part of the annual Hike for Homeless fundraiser on Saturday morning.

Tim, who has made a habit of shattering expectations, trained at least an hour every day for the past year to prepare for the hike, which is set to raise $50,000 for the Base Services to support the city’s homeless.

After completing the 5km event last year with the help of his trainer and carer James Nutt, Tim is going to double the distance as part of a bid to raise $10,000.

His father Billy Drury said he was constantly amazed of Tim’s determination and selflessness.

“We only set short-term goals for him and he seems to outdo them every time,” he said.

“To see him have that community passion that we do makes us so proud.”

Mr Nutt said Tim’s progress was almost entirely thanks to his indomitable willpower.

“In the start, we just did basic stretching, short walks and we got his nutrition and supplements right,” he said.

“The stretch work helped and once we loosened him up, we did yoga to help with holding poses to help with daily tasks.

“We then started walking further, moving to more advanced yoga poses, and we did running and bike riding.

“We never expected him to go as far as he has — my only hope when we started was to slow down the progression of the illness.”

Base Services co-ordinator Nat Spary said the event already had 1000 participants, with the city’s schools doing their part to raise funds.

“We have more schools than ever before doing it — over 150 students from Fairholme are doing it,” he said.

To register as a participant for the hike or donate to Tim and any other group, search “Hike For Homeless” on Facebook.