"Wheel to Walk Canada" is the brainchild of Cetinski, a Freelton area resident who has been wheelchair bound since his single-engine airplane crashed in Flamborough Centre during a test flight in 1997. "We're going to drive the final nail in this particular coffin," he said as he slammed the handles of his wheelchair with his hands.

Breakthrough stem cell research by Dr. Michel Rathbone and his research team at McMaster University has given new hope to Cetinski and others who are determined to walk again. The doctor and his colleagues have been able to restore mobility to rats, paralyzed from spinal cord injury. The research team needs about $10 million to begin human trials in about five years.

"This is where we come in," Uppal explained. Injured 16 years ago when some heavy equipment fell on him while he was making repairs, the Burlington motel owner is absolutely convinced that the research being done in Hamilton will one day restore the use of his legs to him. "It's going to happen," he said confidently. "It's exciting because all of a sudden, there's hope."

Equally committed to raising funds for the Spinal Neurorestorative Society to find a cure for people with spinal cord injuries are McLaughlin of Brampton and Mealing of Crystal Beach. People with diabetes, MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and Alzheimers will also benefit from the groundbreaking research.

"The cause is worth the effort," Cetinski said of the trip that will require all four participants to cover 100 kilometres a day on their custom-made three-wheelers. "It's not going to be easy," Uppal acknowledged, while Cetinski chimed, "We're going to have a lot of fun. We're going to be hot, cold, wet and windblown."

The "Wheel to Walk" adventure celebrates the 10th anniversary of another inspirational project founded by Cetinski, the Golden Horseshoe Marathon, a wheelchair journey from Niagara Falls to Toronto that he and his friends have completed every year since its inception in 1998.

For the first three years, proceeds from the marathon were used to create a resource centre at the Chedoke Hospital to provide valuable service to those with spinal cord injuries. For the next three years, the proceeds went to the Canadian Paraplegic Association and for the past three, to support spinal neurorestorative work.

"The word is getting out," Cetinski said with several groups and individuals volunteering their help. Injured Canadian soldier, Chris Klodt, a 25-year-old Westover resident who was paralyzed from the chest down during service in Afghanistan almost two years ago, has come on side, offering to be the group's spokesperson when he learned what the four men planned to do. Klodt will join the men as they visit all of Canada's major provincial cities, helping to promote the cross-country marathon.

Some high-profile individuals have jumped behind the project as well. Serving as honourary chair is well-known Canadian actor Patrick McKenna of Waterdown who emceed a fundraising gala in Burlington in February. Comedian Rick Mercer is also a supporter and local philanthropist Charlie Juravinski of Greensville has donated a state-of-the-art trailer to accompany the four athletes on their journey.

Local Lions and Rotary clubs, as well as Chambers of Commerce are also stepping up to the plate. This Friday, the TD Canada Trust Bank in Waterdown will hold a barbecue to raise funds for the project. On May 31, the Rockton Lions will host a fish fry and in July, the Freelton Lions will organize a fundraising event. The Burlington Rotary Club is hosting a golf tourney this month and another fundraiser will be held next month at a golf course in Caledon.

Online donations can be made through McMaster University at www.wheeltowalkcanada.org or people can mail a cheque made payable to "Wheel to Walk Canada" to: Spinal Neurorestorative Society, 452 Plains Road East, Burlington, Ontario L7T 2E1. Donations will also be accepted at any branch of the TD Canada Trust Bank. A charitable receipt will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

"We know this will be a successful event because Canadians are very generous," Cetinski said, adding that if every Canadian were to donate the price of a cup of coffee, the project would have double what is needed to advance the research to human trials.

"We will be successful," he said adamantly. "We ask everyone to step behind us and make this dream come true." all of Canada's major provincial cities, helping to promote the cross-country marathon.

Some high-profile individuals have jumped behind the project as well. Serving as honourary chair is well-known Canadian actor Patrick McKenna of Waterdown who emceed a fundraising gala in Burlington in February. Comedian Rick Mercer is also a supporter and local philanthropist Charlie Juravinski of Greensville has donated a state-of-the-art trailer to accompany the four athletes on their journey.

Local Lions and Rotary clubs, as well as Chambers of Commerce are also stepping up to the plate. This Friday, the TD Canada Trust Bank in Waterdown will hold a barbecue to raise funds for the project. On May 31, the Rockton Lions will host a fish fry and in July, the Freelton Lions will organize a fundraising event. The Burlington Rotary Club is hosting a golf tourney this month and another fundraiser will be held next month at a golf course in Caledon.

DONATIONS

Online donations can be made through McMaster University at www.wheeltowalkcanada.org or people can mail a cheque made payable to "Wheel to Walk Canada" to: Spinal Neurorestorative Society, 452 Plains Road East, Burlington, Ontario L7T 2E1. Donations will also be accepted at any branch of the TD Canada Trust Bank.

A charitable receipt will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

"We know this will be a successful event because Canadians are very generous," Cetinski said, adding that if every Canadian were to donate the price of a cup of coffee, the project would have double what is needed to advance the research to human trials.

"We will be successful," he said adamantly.

"We ask everyone to step behind us and make this dream come true."