A Kurunjang resident will don his running shoes and hit the streets of Melbourne later this month in a bid to raise awareness for a disease that is close to his heart.
Rick Phillip, 36, will take part in this year’s Run Melbourne to raise much-needed funds for Huntington’s disease after losing his mother to the debilitating illness last year.
Mr Phillip told Star Weekly that after seeing his mother suffer from the genetic disorder, which affects muscle co-ordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems, he was determined to make a difference.
“It’s good because you can choose the charity you would like to raise money for and I wanted to do something to raise awareness of the disease,” he said. “It’s in memory of my mum.”
The journey leading up to Run Melbourne hasn’t been easy for Mr Phillip, who was seriously injured when he fell off a truck three years ago and badly hurt his shoulder.
Since then he has battled weight gain, depression and unemployment.
However, in the past 12 months he has undergone a transformation, losing more than 50 kilograms, being employed once again and leading a healthy and happy lifestyle – so it’s no wonder that even Mr Phillip has to pinch himself when he thinks about this month’s five-kilometre run.
“My health was in a pretty bad way, I weighed over 140 kilograms and then I had lap band surgery. Now I train hard at the gym … a year ago I wouldn’t have even thought about it.
“It’s been life-changing for me.”
This year’s Run Melbourne will take place on Sunday, July 27. For more information on the event visit www.runmelbourne.com.au.
