Billy during the charity ride to Kota Kinabalu.
BILLY Seck saw his world crumble when doctors told him he might never walk again following an accident last year.
The avid cyclist, 68, was unconscious for several days due to the accident and was devastated to learn he might be wheelchair-bound or physically disabled.
“The idea of giving up cycling, which has been my passion for decades, was so painful,” he said.
Seck described it as “the longest month” when he couldn’t feel his legs, especially the left one, leaving him stressed and in despair.
“I felt hopeless,” he said.
Memories were also fragmented following the accident on Feb 11, when Seck was knocked down by a 10-tonne truck during a cycling session. He was in and out of consciousness for most of that period.
“I couldn’t believe it because cycling is my passion, and I have been cycling since 2009,” he said. He sustained fractures to his hip and tailbone, among other injuries, in the accident.
Fortunately, he had a strong support system from family, friends, and his local church priest to help lift his spirits and motivate him to stand up again amid the pain.
“After two weeks of getting the news, I told myself that I had to recover no matter what it took, and I made a personal promise to God that I would donate and do charity if I managed to walk and ride again,” Seck said.
He began rehabilitation, and for two months, he stood and fell, tried again, fell again, and repeated until he could finally walk.
Soon after, he donned his riding gear and took his bicycle out for a ride, thanking God for his recovery, albeit a slow one.
“It is with God’s grace that I am able to recover as I did. I also have a tremendous group of friends who support and encourage me,” Seck said.
To keep his promise, he devised a “ride for charity” to support the Sabah Cheshire Home, which cares for the disabled and abandoned and relies on public donations and occasional government funding.
To raise funds through the programme, Seck first gathered his cycling buddies, family, and friends to share his plan last September before announcing it on social media in December.
The group flew to Kuching, Sarawak, to start their ride back to Kota Kinabalu, all within two weeks from May 22 to June 2.
Seck was careful with how he rode, being mindful of terrains, bumps, and other road conditions due to his injuries, which were still healing.
He did not push himself too hard, and soon, the group of around 10 main cyclists and two supporting riders split because some could move faster and others slower.
They were assisted by police and friendly road users who showed moral support and were occasionally joined by local riders in the towns they passed through.
“It was a wonderful ride with the community checking up on us, assisting, and motivating us along the way. Our donations also continued to grow,” he said.
In no time, their initiative managed to raise RM60,000 in donations for the Sabah Cheshire Home.
A ceremony was held on July 17 for the mock cheque handover, where a total of RM65,380 was given to the home.
Those involved in this initiative were the Cycling Association of Kota Kinabalu, 88 Bikers Cycling Club, and the Seeni Sana Veteran Cycling Team.
Seck said this would not be the last charity ride he and his cycling buddies would hold, as such initiatives promote healthy living, compassion, and charity within the community.
