This summer, 25 cyclists with big ambition and bigger hearts embarked on a two-day, 170 kilometers ride in support of hospice care. They were riding in the third annual Cycle of Life Tour.
Each cyclist committed to raising at least $300 in pledge money but that target meant little to this philanthropic group. Twenty of the 25 cyclists earned well over the $300 minimum with eight reaching goals of more than $1,000 and two riders achieving over $3,000 in pledges.
Mid September saw the beginning of the cheque presentations to the four local hospice societies that Graham Robertson, Cycle of Life Tour founder, selected before embarking on this project.
Toya Jacobson and Lois Dobson from the Sooke Hospice Society gratefully received the $3000 donation from the Cycle of Life Tour.
“The donation to the Sooke Hospice is solely because of the efforts of three of our riders, Julie Johns, Melanie Cunningham and Rhiannon James,” explains Robertson. “After committing to participate in the tour they specifically requested their fundraising efforts be dedicated to the hospice in their own community and of course, I was happy to fulfill their request.”
Altogether the contribution to local hospice care was $24,000 as a result of the 2013 Cycle of Life Tour. Sooke Hospice, Salt Spring Island Hospice, Cowichan Valley Hospice and Victoria Hospice all received contributions. Robertson couldn’t be more pleased with the success of the 2013 Tour, the first year of the group ride format.
Since its inception in 2011 the Cycle of Life Tour has raised over $50,000. To find out more, visit www.cycleoflifetour.ca.
Graham Robertson