An east-end athlete who plans to speed skate his way onto the Canadian Olympic team will be the benefactor of a May 15 fundraiser at the Orléans Recreational Complex.

Orléans speed skater Kevin Frost who is mostly deaf and blind from Usher's Syndrome - a genetic disorder - will receive $5 from aerobics and spinning classes planned at the ORC for May 15.

"Kevin has been a regular at the gym," said Jen Steers, the recreation centre's fitness program co-ordinator. "No one realized the seriousness of the disease until Nemo (Frost's seeing-eye dog) started coming to the gym with him in December...We've done fundraisers in the past. It's something we'll continue to do."

Among the fundraisers planned for May 15 are a two-hour aerobic class and" two hours of spinning. While members usually get into the classes free, the centre is planning a $5 fee they'll present to the budding athlete. Both classes will run 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Anyone looking to book a bike for the spinning class is asked to make a reservation at 824-0819, Ext. 230.

A group of massage therapy students who still need practical hours for their diplomas may also be doing chair massages in the lobby for a donation. That money, too, will go towards Frost's training fund.

The ORC is also planning a raffle for June 12. They're in the process of collecting items.

Besides helping with his physical conditioning, the money will help buy some of the equipment his needs to get into his newly-adopted sport. With the ice season pretty much over, Frost said he's spending a lot of time at the gym getting into Olympian shape.

"His heart's in the right place," said Steers. "Whether or not he makes it onto the Olympic team, he'll raise awareness about Usher's Syndrome."