School staff rides to support teacher

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Naugatuck High School staff members pose for a photo in their Team Walsh jerseys on the steps of the high school Sept. 8. Pictured from left, top row, Doug Hale, Jerry Gibson, Kelly Black, Lisa Green, Matt Rosen, Sean Dunn; bottom row, Jill Walsh, Tim Walsh and Debbie Rutiglino. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — Naugatuck High School staff members came together to ride for one of their own.

On Saturday, a group of 23 took part in the Smilow Cancer Center’s Closer to Free fundraiser bicycle ride in honor of Naugatuck High social studies teacher Tim Walsh, who was recently diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and started chemotherapy a month ago.

About half of the group, known as Team Walsh, work at Naugatuck High or in the school district, including Walsh’s wife, Jill, who is an English teacher at the high school.

Doug Hale, captain of Team Walsh and a custodian at the high school, said many people in the group haven’t ridden in a charity ride or even rode a bike in many years.

“As soon as you say the name Tim Walsh everybody wants to step up and do what they can do,” Hale said. “He is just one of those guys that, when something is wrong, you have to step up.”

The annual bicycle ride raises money for the cancer center and features a 10, 25, 62.5, or 100 mile course. As of Sept. 8, Hale said Team Walsh had raised over $17,600.

Donations will be accepted until Sept. 30, he said. People can donate to Team Walsh online at www.rideclosertofree.org.

The day before the race, Hale said he hoped the members of the group enjoy the ride so they will want to do it again.

“My goal is to have these new riders like it. And next year I won’t have to hunt them down. They will come to me and say, ‘What ride are we doing,’” Hale said.