By Suzanne Laurent
slaurent@derrynews.com
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Josh Ploude and his dog Rex left Los Angeles on Aug. 11. The duo are on a mission to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and plan to arrive in Boston on Aug. 29.
Ploude, a 1994 graduate of Londonderry High School, works as a network engineer for TNCI Integrated Communications Solutions and splits his time between Los Angeles and Boston.
"The company is right near Fenway Park," Ploude said from Boise, Idaho, Monday afternoon. "We're all big Red Sox fans and if I raise enough money, the company can play an inning during Fantasy Day in the park."
Ploude, 33, said he would have to raise $25,000 to play an inning, but he set the bar higher and hopes to raise $50,000. So far, he has raised $2,000.
He purchased a motorcycle three weeks ago and added a sidecar for Rex, a rescue boxer. They headed north to Portland.
"Rex loves when we first take off, but after I pick up speed on the freeway, he burrows down into his bed," Ploude said.
The bike broke down last week in Boise and the duo were grounded for a week.
"I won't be able to stay at Yellowstone like I planned," Ploude said. "I'll have to go a straighter route to the finish."
Ploude said he was trying to get different motorcycle clubs to meet up with him and ride with him along the way, but now he just has to plow straight though to Boston.
He said he is hoping some corporate sponsors will kick in and contribute money to the cause. People wishing to donate and follow the duo's progress can log on to ex4jimmy.org.
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