Wayland Patch 3/20/11: Comedy Fundraiser for Wayland’s Team Hoyt.

Dennis Charles has raced in triathlons with Dick and Rick Hoyt, the Wayland father-son team who have participated in the Boston Marathon since 1981.

As a result of oxygen deprivation to his brain at the time of his birth in 1962, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Rick, and his dad Dick, are internationally renowned and have competed in more than 1,000 races. Dick pushes Rick in a wheelchair, and tows him in a boat or behind a bike in triathlons and duathlons.

Besides their personal success, the Hoyts have used the publicity surrounding their racing to form Team Hoyt, a group of more than 100 runners who this year aim to raise more than $100,000 to help children with disabilities lead as normal lives as possible.

First Parish Framingham church member and triathlete Dennis Charles is a member of Team Hoyt. Charles, whose dry humor accompanies his British accent and roiling pack of personable children, decided to sponsor a Comedy Night Friday, March 18, at First Parish as a way to raise money to meet Team Hoyt’s six-figure 2011 goal.

To contribute to Team Hoyt, visit their website, cheer them on at the Hopkinton starting line on Monday, April 18, 2011, or anywhere along the Boston Marathon course.