A former Chatham resident is coming back to the community to raise money for a local non-profit.
Shawn VanGassen, who currently lives in San Diego, will bike 500 km in support of the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent.
He first did this in 2025 to honour his mother, Patricia, who had recently passed away. The Alzheimer Society was chosen as the beneficiary since it was the organization the family asked people to donate to during his mother's funeral.
VanGassen will travel along Riverview Line to Prairie Siding, before returning to Chatham along Grand River Line. He'll be making the trip 25 times, which comes out to just over 500 km.
He plans to finish everything in around one day, starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday. He plans to wrap up around 10 a.m. on Sunday.
"I [added] four hours in case some people want to show up," explained VanGassen.
People driving in the area can expect to see VanGassen, as well as a large group of supporters.
"There will be friends and family helping me out during the day, just to make sure I'm okay," he added.
People can donate to the Alzheimer Society online, by phone with a credit card at 519-352-1043, by mail or cheque, or by visiting the organization's office on Memory Lane in Chatham.
