A local cyclist has helped raise thousands of dollars for the Chatham-Kent (CK) Hospice all by riding a bike.
Jeff Thibert is recovering from a 1,200 kilometre trek in late August, which he took in hopes of collecting donations for the end-of-life facility.
So far, he's been able to collect over $7,000, with hopes of reaching $12,000 by Labour Day.
Thibert completed the journey, travelling back and forth between Tilbury and Paris, Ontario twice, in around 87 hours.
He told Mike and Cheryl on BIG COUNTRY 91.3 FM's morning show The BIG Breakfast that the ride was much more challenging than people think.
"The distance is long enough and challenging enough, but weather conditions really played a factor. We had lots of wind, lots of storms, and the temperatures really dropped," said Thibert.
This is the second time he's taken part in a long-distance ride for CK's Hospice.
In 2024, he rode 1,000 km after a friend challenged him. He decided to take part in support of the facility because of the work the staff did to keep his grandma comfortable in her final days.
"I thought this was a way to raise money. I can spin a crank on a bike; that's the only thing I'm good at," explained Thibert.
Fundraisers like Thibert's are necessary for the hospice, as the facility is only partially government-funded. Knowing this fact, Thibert is considering doing at least one more bike ride in support.
In the meantime, people wanting to donate to the hospice can do so online.
