PEORIA, Ill. -- The Colorado native dressed as Captain America, on a charity ride across the country to visit hospitals and raise money for charity, was injured when he struck a piece of truck tire while riding his motorcycle across the Midwest.
Matt Gnojek, known as the “Colorado Captain,” suffered a broken ankle on Saturday.
“It felt like I was hitting a boulder going a million miles per hour,” he told Denver7.
Gnojek had been taking part in his annual “Cap Across America” motorcycle ride. He had visited 16 states, six children’s hospitals, and multiple conventions.
“To come so far and have that sort of taken away in a blink of an eye, it feels like I was robbed of my finish line. But it was never about me,” he told Denver7.
The purpose of the trip was to raise $10,000 for charity to go to two organizations: Cap for Kids and International Rescue Committee. So far he says he’s halfway there, and now looking to others to help since he’s sidelined with the injury.
“I am believing in my heart of hearts that we’re still going to make that goal,” Gnojek said. “I know we’re gonna make that $10,000 mark for those kids.”
To donate, head to http://www.coloradocaptain.com/cap-across-america/.
The “Colorado Captain” says he made it to all the hospitals on his list except for the final one in Aurora.
“The only hospital visit I had left is to take part in the Children’s Hospital toy run in the beginning of December,” he said.
The toy run brings in hundreds of motorcycle riders, each with a donated toy, to the hospital. Colorado Captain's goal is to be back on his bike by then, just in time to make a few more kids smile.
“My resolve is doubled, not broken,” he said.
