THE cycling community is rallying around sick Yarrabah boy sufferer Charles Fourmile, organising a charity ride over the Yarrabah Range later this month to raise much-needed funds for the 10-year-old and his family.

The team behind the Cardiac Challenge is spearheading the campaign and 66-year-old indigenous leader Clive Murray is pushing for as many riders as possible to join.

Mr Murray, a Cardiac Challenge veteran who is also chairman of the Wanyurr Majay indigenous group, said he was moved to help the young adrenoleukodystrophy sufferer after reading of the family's plight in The Cairns Post.

"When asked if I could help with this one ... we started to talk and said why not do it?" he said. "I would like to encourage other indigenous people to participate as well."

Adrenoleukodystrophy, which was the subject of Hollywood movie Lorenzo's Oil in the 1990s, is a progressive genetic disease that in many cases proves fatal as the nervous system deteriorates.

Charles's family has been told to brace for the worst and they are battling to make his life more comfortable.

Riders will leave from the Sea Breeze Cafe at Cairns Base Hospital at 6.30am on November 25. Participants will head south to Gordonvale and assemble at Norman Park for a coffee break before cycling to Bessie Point.

From there, those who do not want to ride over the range to Yarrabah can take a bus or other transport.

A traditional smoking ceremony is being organised in Yarrabah to greet riders at the close of the event.

Cost is $75. To register, visit www.fnqyaf.org.au

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