A BUNBURY man has taken on the challenge of riding more than 500 kilometres to raise funds for those who cannot afford their own modified bikes.
Set to ride through Murchison on August 28, Elliot "Ellio" Mason is fundraising to be able to help a few recipients who cannot otherwise fund their own assisted bikes.
Elliot is 28 years old and has genetic disorder, Down Syndrome but doesn't let it stop him from riding which he finds has positive impacts on his mental health.
Elliot's stepdad, Geoff Toy, said Elliot was given an electric, pedal-assisted bike 12 months ago as an incentive for losing over 45 kilograms.
"He weighed 113 kilos so when he got down to a certain weight, his mum Sharron bought him an e-bike. And that got him right into riding," Mr Toy said.
As avid riders themselves, it was then Elliot's desire to join his parents on a ride in the Gascoyne region that sparked the idea to do Ride for a Reason.
"We thought well, why not make it a ride where Elliot can fundraise for other people with disabilities as well? That's when Sharron got Enable involved."
Elliot is a client of Enable Western Australia, a National Disability Insurance Scheme service provider that offers support for living with a disability in the South West, Peel and Perth metro areas.
Through supporting Elliot with his ride, Enable also brought on Moshi Moshi Marketing, who support Elliot on his ride through promotion and setting up his Go Fund Me page.
Elliot said he had been riding since he was five-years-old and that he had always loved it, having started riding dirt bikes where he grew up in Kununurra.
"It's the happiest day of my life when I'm riding. I like a challenge, I'm excited for the ride."
Elliot has begun training with his mum Sharron, riding into Bunbury from Boyanup.
He expressed the importance of being able to give others with disabilities the same opportunities he had.
Mr Toy said he had seen a huge improvement in Elliot's mental health since taking up riding 12 months ago.
"It just gives him everything he wants to do, like freedom. He can just get out and go.
"Riding is great for your mental health. We say that everything becomes clear when you're riding. You feel good and your mentality is so sharp," Mr Toy said.
For the ride through Murchinson, located 300 kilometres north east of Geraldton, Elliot will be joined by his step dad, mum and other family and friends to take on over 500 kilometres of track, some through off road conditions.
As a sponsor of Elliot's ride, those who would like to enter to receive funding to go towards a pedal-assisted bike can enter via Enable's website, https://www.enablewa.org.au/elliots-riding-for-a-reason/.
With a goal of $15,000, Elliot has so far raised just over $5,000.
To donate, visit his Go Fund Me page https://www.gofundme.com/f/elliots-ride-for-a-reason.
When Elliot isn't riding, he can be found holding free concerts for passing traffic off the back of Mr Toy's ute at their home in Boyanup.
He said his favourite song is Switch by Will Smith.