Sarnia cyclists hope to double donations through nationwide initiative
A few Sarnia Fire Rescue Services members have been riding their bicycles more often this month as part of the ninth annual Great Cycle Challenge, held in support of SickKids Foundation.
The Canada-wide initiative allows participants to set their own cycling and fundraising goals during the month of August. Money raised will support children fighting cancer.
Chief Fire Prevention Officer Roel Bus has been participating in the challenge since its inception in 2016.
"In the beginning, I rode about 500 kilometres in that month and then I increased it to 1,000 km," he said. "In total, in almost nine years, I've raised over $21,000."
Bus said he became involved in the challenge because of its flexibility and support for a good cause.
"I'm from Holland, I've been riding my bike my entire life," he said. "Because of the flexibility of the challenge, you're setting your own goals, it's not like you have to raise $5,000. You raise whatever you can raise, and you ride whatever you can ride."
Other members of Sarnia Fire participating in the challenge include Shawn Schinkel, Mike Lumley, Dani Girard, and new recruit Amberly Purdon.
There are 126 riders in the Sarnia chapter this year. Bus said collectively, they have ridden almost 8,000 km and raised nearly $18,000.
However, they would like to increase that amount.
Bus said Wednesday, August 14 marks a special day in the challenge and has been dubbed "kick cancer's butt day." Online donations received by any rider during the day will be matched up to $1.3 million.
"Your donation could potentially go twice as far," Bus said.
Details about the local riders participating this year can be found on the Great Cycle Challenge website.
