ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s motorcycle and music communities are coming together this weekend to help someone who’s spent more than a decade helping others.
Zach Long, a volunteer member of the Richmond County Rescue Squad, was injured last Halloween when he was in a wreck with a drunk driver.
He was airlifted to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill where he spent 28 days with both a shattered pelvis and knee, a broken leg and nerve damage in his left leg. During that time, he underwent several surgeries — and likely has more ahead.
Since being released, Long has been confined to either a wheelchair or walker, and has been unable to work.
Long joined the Rescue Squad in 2008 because he “wanted to help people.” His desire to be a first responder was driven by the still-unsolved 2002 murder of his older brother, Franklin, in Salisbury.
Long said he’s thankful to Chief Scott Waters, Mike Stokes and the rest of the squad “for being there for me … for everything they’ve done.”
“Zach has done a lot for a lot of people here in the community,” said Sarah Holder, one of Long’s nurses, who organized the benefit to help pay his medical expenses. “And I think it’s time we did something for him for all he’s done. He’s got a big heart and he would do anything for anybody.”
Pedro, a member of Ghost Riders Motorcycle Club, will be leading the ride, which will leave Double Vision at 1 p.m Saturday. Registration begins at noon, $10 for single riders, $20 for doubles.
“I hope we have a good turnout … and a lot of friendly faces and a lot of love and support,” Holder said.
Other fundraising for the event will come through the sale of barbecue and chicken plates, a 50/50 raffle, and the offering of door prizes, which were donated by many businesses throughout Richmond County.
With Long’s godmother being Robin Roberts, manager of Hudson Brothers Deli, he has been a regular of the restaurant since childhood and even now.
Guitarist Chuck Smith, who used to work at Hudson Brothers, remembers Long coming in as a kid.
Smith has organized a multi-act concert to begin around 5:30 p.m. and rock into the night featuring several local musicians, including Eric Whitfield, Nikki Fletcher, Charles Trotter, Ducky Medlock and members of Aftermath and Smith’s band the Safety Committee, along with other guests.
There will be a $5 cover charge, with all proceeds going toward the cause.
On Thursday, Long offered his thanks to the crews from the Rockingham Fire Department and FirstHealth EMS who responded to the wreck that fateful night, and to Double Vision owner Richard Robinson for hosting the event.
“We just want to thank everybody for the love and appreciation they have for him,” said Long’s father, Watt Long.
