A group of running and cycling enthusiasts are bringing the community together for a charity event to benefit a local burn victim.

Jonathan “Slick” Hudson, sustained second and third-degree burns over 22 percent of his body, as well as smoke damage and flash burns to his lungs after an accident, according to members of the group hosting the event. The July 3 accident, a gas fume fire, was caused when Hudson’s drill sparked while he was cleaning out his boat’s fuel tank.

Hudson has been at Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill since the accident and still has a long road to recovery, although he is improving each day, according to close friend and one of the event’s hosts Tracey Conner.

“He is actually home now,” Conner said. “He came home Sunday. Now, he’s mostly doing rehab work, getting back to walking normally.”

The event, dubbed “Sweatin’ for Slick,” is slated for Sept. 26 and includes both a 5K fun run and a 10-mile charity bike ride, according to Larry Lang, another organizer. The bike ride begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K run begins at 8:15 a.m.

The event will begin at the Coffee Caboose on McNair Street in Washington, continue down Main Street over the Runyon Creek bridge, through Washington Park and loop around the same path back to the Coffee Caboose. The bike ride route will be announced in the coming week. All of the proceeds will go toward Hudson’s medical expenses, as well as expenses incurred as a result of being out of work, Conner said.

According to Lang, the running club Sole Train came up with the idea to host the benefit. The group, formed in 2011, meets at the Coffee Caboose each Saturday at 7 a.m. and runs together. After their runs, members gather at the coffee shop.

Lang said another group, made up of cyclists, hang out at the coffee shop on Saturdays, as well, and a friendship was made between the two groups. As the running group expanded, new members, including Conner, joined and have been a big part of the group’s gatherings, Lang said.

“Tracey notified us that he would not be able to attend the Saturday morning runs for a period of time due to his good friend being injured and we decided we wanted to find a way to support Slick. The members came up with the idea of having a fun run, and the bikers decided to join in for a ride, too,” Lang said.

In addition to the two races, a raffle of a number of prizes donated by area businesses will be held, according to Mary Katherine White, a member of Sole Train. With Hudson being a local business owner, the group thought the raffle would be a good way to get other members of the business community involved. However, businesses can help in other ways, such as donating water or fruit for participants of the race, White said.

“Hearing the story (of Hudson) — it is something that could happen to any of us,” White said. “Just knowing what he’s been through and being a local business owner, you really want to reach out and help any way you can. We really just wanted to put this on as a way to bring everyone together and help out Jonathan and his family in their time of need. The prizes are just another way to get some local businesses involved that want to support our cause. We just wanted to get businesses involved and have something fun for people to look forward to. It’s really just about coming out and showing your support. We are excited to be able to do this.”

“I’ve heard him say he’s overwhelmed at how so many people have come together and are willing to help him out,” Conner said.

For more information about the event and update’s about Jonathan Hudson’s progress, “Like” www.facebook.com/Jonathansclimbtorecovery. Registration forms can be found online at www.facebook.com/Jonathansclimbtorecovery or picked up from the Coffee Caboose, 111 MacNair St. in Washington. Participation in the event costs $10 per person during pre-registration and $15 per person for registration on the day of the race. To get involved by becoming a sponsor or to donate to the cause, send a message to the group on Facebook or call Larry Lang at First Bank in Washington at 252-948-0050.