For over 60 years, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital has been a top facility for treating children with cancer and other diseases.

This year, Montgomery County native Travis Robinson has found a way to help out the hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

On May 15, Robinson will be going on a 564-mile trip on a 1968 Ford lawn mower across Tennessee to help raise funds for St. Jude. The trip is called My Ride For St. Jude Children’s Hospital. It will begin at Mountain City, Tenn., located on the eastern side of the state, and will end at the parking lot of St. Jude.

“I’m doing this because there are kids fighting for their lives at St. Jude’s and there are families having to watch their kids fight just to stay alive,” Robinson said. “I figured the least I can do is make this trip whether it would be uncomfortable or not. It’s the least I can do to show my support. That’s why it’s important to me to make it to the St. Jude’s parking lot.”

Robinson said he plans to ride his mower through 40 cities during the trip. He will be provided free meals, lodging and gas. He got approval from the Tennessee Department of Transportation that he can travel on his mower on the trip, just as long as he’s not on the major highways.

“It’s just anything and everything that I can do to raise money,” Robinson said. “The goal is $5,000. If I don’t make that mark, that’s still OK as long as I raise something. Any kind of money is good for St. Jude’s, not only for the kids, but for the families of the kids as well.”

Robinson said his sister, Ashley, and his wife, Lisa, have been helpful in preparing this trip.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” he said.

Robinson said he first started thinking about doing a donation ride for St. Jude about two decades ago.

“I remember hearing commercials on the radio and seeing commercials on television about St. Jude,” Robinson said. “I was really fascinated about the fact that everything that they were able to accomplish was done by donations.”

After Robinson’s son was born in 2009, the idea came up again.

“The hospital told us that we may end up having to use St. Jude’s services,” Robinson said. “He had some minor health issues at birth. I remember sitting in the waiting room and I was on my phone and I was trying to do research on St. Jude’s. Luckily, we didn’t have to use St. Jude’s. But in my research, I found out how excellent of a facility it is.”

Then, Robinson contacted the Memphis hospital about his long trip.

“I had to spend several hours on the phone with St. Jude,” Robinson said. “They are excited about it and are looking forward to it. Due to the nature of the event, St. Jude’s can’t sanction it because it involves me driving on public roads.”

During his trip, Robinson will make a stop at his current hometown, Savannah, which is located 114 miles east of Memphis. Other major cities along the trip include Johnson City and Murfreesboro.

Currently, the 40-year-old Robinson is working on getting his lawn mower fixed for the trip.

“I’m trying to get it ready to make this trip and make sure there aren’t any major issues along the way,” Robinson said. “So there are a few things that have to be done to it.”

Robinson grew up in Montgomery County for most of his life. His grandparents, Larry and Beverly, owned a 1,000-acre cattle farm on Highway B. He also worked at New Florence Wood Products for 15 years.

“I was always around cattle, tractors and things of that nature,” said Robinson, who was homeschooled. “I basically grew up in the country.”

Robinson moved to Tennessee over two years ago. He works as a small engine mechanic.

“I always liked Tennessee, so that’s where I ended up,” Robinson said. “That put me one step closer to making this dream that I had about making this trip for St. Jude’s closer to reality for me.”

For more information on the trip, visit the My Ride for St. Jude Facebook page or email myrideforstjudes@gmail.com.