CHARLOTTE - Hey Checkers fans - the team is getting behind another great cause and this is your chance to help out another very deserving family.

Do yourself a favor - take the three minutes to watch the video attached above.

The Checkers will be holding a special “Wheels for Forest” fundraiser prior to their April 7 game (12 p.m.) to benefit Hickory Ridge High School student Forest Walton, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a progressive disease which eventually affects all voluntary muscles and involves the heart and breathing muscles in later stages. Forest was diagnosed at birth and was able to walk, run and play until he was 12, but, due to the progressive nature of the disease, is now confined to a wheelchair.

Forest’s mother transports him in a wheelchair-accessible van, which is currently deteriorating, and his classmates have formed “Wheels for Forest” to help him get new means of transportation.

On April 14th, 2012, the Men's 50-mile twilight criterium and the Women's 25-mile criterium will be held on the streets of center city Charlotte. The Women's event starts at 6:00pm followed by the Men's event at 7:30pm, pre race festivities begin 1 hour before the women's event. The event is part of the USA Cycling's National Criterium Calendar (NCC) the USA CRITS National Series and attracts Professional riders from around the world.

The event will be spectator friendly and will be held on a 1.2 mile course in center city Charlotte.

Be sure to look for the official race guide at the Criterium featuring information on racers and sponsors of the event. Find a copy at the Expo area and bins throughout the course. Race photographs in the guide are courtesy of Weldon Weaver

The most elite cycling teams will be invited to participate in the criterium.