Melfort man going extra mile for Parkinson’s fundraising campaign
This Saturday, Kurt Luchia will hop into his 1956 Willys Jeep and drive the 400 km from Melfort to Moose Jaw as a way to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research and to pay tribute to his late father.
Perry Luchia, who passed away almost two years ago, battled the disease for 17 years. The father and son bought the jeep when Kurt was 16, and it would take six years for the pair to restore it to its former glory. Luchia said he learned a lot from watching his father, a former Air Force pilot.
“Watching him take the time and the patience and the extra effort to do a restoration most people wouldn’t even attempt, and he took it up with gusto,” Luchia said.
Luchia is the first to admit that the drive to Moose Jaw this weekend could be very uncomfortable and could take a long time. The narrow vehicle has an 80-inch wheelbase, no doors, an open cab, and there is no way to even adjust the seat. On top of that, Luchia said he will be required to make quite a few stops.