GREENE – The Red Knights will saddle up this weekend to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The local motorcycle club, comprised of volunteer firefighters and emergency squad members from across Chenango and Broome counties, is hosting its second annual ride to benefit the non-profit organization.

According to Jim “Radar” Ross, the group raised approximately $1,600 on its inaugural MDA ride, a poker run which took place on Father’s Day last year. Ross, a charter member of the Red Knights Chapter 40, was proud to present that check on air during the Binghamton MDA’s live telethon on Labor Day. It was a moment that was particularly poignant for the 46 year old Oxford man who, 15 years ago, was diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSH) – a genetic, degenerative disease causes muscle weakness and wasting of facial muscles, as well as shoulders, upper arms, hips and legs.

While Ross is certainly one of the reasons the Red Knights have chosen to support MDA, he insists he isn’t the only reason. Two other members of the group have family members from ALS, he explained, another of the diseases for which MDA is striving for a cure.

While $1,600 was a nice sum for the event’s first year, “we’re trying to beat that this year,” Ross said. He’s looking forward to presenting an even bigger check to the non-profit this year.