Raffle to help paralyzed teen

Group aims to offset medical costs

The Post and Courier

Brittany Riffe

Brittany Riffe doesn't own a motorcycle, and she also doesn't sport any tattoos.

But that hasn't stopped a group of Charleston volunteers from hosting a benefit ride, tattoo contest and motorcycle raffle to help offset the paralyzed 18-year-old's medical expenses.

An initial benefit ride and tattoo contest planned for two weeks ago at The Plex in North Charleston was rained out, but general manager Bob Shipley received some good news as he tried to reschedule the event for Saturday.

Steve Carroll, the general manager of Red's Ice House at Shem Creek, had planned to partner with Miller Lite to raffle a Harley-Davidson motorcycle as a summer promotion. Instead, Carroll said he'd be glad to use the motorcycle to raise money for Brittany.

"I couldn't think of a better reason," he said. "Hopefully, the motorcycle will up the ante and get more people interested."

Brittany was paralyzed six days before the start of her senior year at Stratford High School when she was a passenger in a morning car accident in August. The Lowcountry community has rallied to aid her family in recent months, and donations — including a car — have poured in.

She's remained upbeat during her ordeal, which included a hospital stay this week as she battled a kidney infection.

Still, Brittany and her mother, Sherry, are determined to attend an expensive two-week program in Boston called Project Walk, and the money raised through the benefit ride and raffle will contribute to paying for the program. The Riffes plan to leave for Boston on Monday.

Raffle tickets cost $5, and the drawing will take place on May 9 at Red's Ice House.

Carroll said the motorcycle is a 2008 Harley-Davidson Nightster. The blue bike has Miller Lite custom logos and paint, and Carroll estimates that it's worth more than $13,000.

Tickets for the raffle will be sold at Saturday's benefit ride and tattoo contest, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at The Plex in North Charleston and includes stops at seven bars.

Tickets for the benefit ride are $15 per person and $25 per couple. A tattoo contest also will be held at The Plex at 6 p.m., with a $10 entry fee. For more information, call Shipley at 225-7540.

Reach Mindy B. Hagen at mhagen@postandcourier.com or 937-5433.