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Bikers to aid trauma center

The proceeds from a blind poker run will benefit Bayfront Medical Center.

By LEONORA LaPETER
Published May 13, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - The family of a motorcycle rider injured during a Toys-for-Tots parade is holding a charity bike run Sunday to raise money for Bayfront Medical Center.

Martin McNulty is still recovering at Bayfront's Trauma and Rehabilitation Center from a serious brain injury that left him in a coma for several weeks.

"They saved his life," said McNulty's son, Matt McNulty, 33. "He's looking at nearly a full recovery. In the process, we're hoping to help people in need who are treated at Bayfront."

Martin McNulty was riding his Harley-Davidson in the annual Toys-for-Tots parade Dec. 5, when he lost control on U.S. 19 in Pinellas Park and and skidded to a stop on his side. He was wearing a helmet, but his injuries were severe.

A 32-year resident of St. Petersburg and a business broker, McNulty had ridden in the 2,000-motorcycle Toys-for-Tots parade about eight times.

Registration for the "1st Marty McNulty Blind Poker Run," organized by Bikers for Bayfront, will start between 9 and 10 a.m. Sunday. Riders go to participating Harley-Davidson dealerships and instead of drawing cards, they pick numbers between 1 and 52. At a prescribed time, cards are drawn and assigned to the numbers.

When participants reach the final destination, Quaker Steak and Lube at 10400 49th St. N. in Clearwater, they will learn their five-card poker hand. The person with the best hand will win $1,000. Those who don't want to ride can go to Quaker Steak and Lube and buy the five cards. The cost of two hands is $20 and each additional hand is $5. The last card will be drawn at 2:30 p.m. Donations also can be made at Bank of America.

The idea for the charity bike ride emerged during a conversation between Martin McNulty's wife, Trudy, and his surgeon, Dr. Kevin Hirsch.

Hirsch wanted to make the motorcycle community aware of Bayfront's trauma center. "The only time they know about it is when something tragic happens," he said. "I wanted to raise awareness about what goes on here."

"I said, "Maybe we can fix that,"' said Trudy McNulty, 61.

The only trauma center in Pinellas County, Bayfront Medical Center treated more than 3,000 trauma cases last year, including 223 motorcycle injuries.

Bikers for Bayfront has already raised $20,000 and hopes to raise $100,000 during Sunday's event to benefit the trauma and rehab programs that have helped his father, Matt McNulty said.

[Last modified May 13, 2005, 00:56:15]