People in Grande Prairie are being encouraged to hop on their bikes and ride for a good cause. For the first time in 17 years, the Kids with Cancer Society’s Tour of Hope charity bike ride will leave from the city.
The event will start on June 8th with a barbeque followed by the Grande Prairie community ride on the 9th. The society is hoping to raise $330,000 this year and Senior Director of Development Emily Lennstrom says every rider puts them closer to that goal.
“By people coming out and cycling on June 9th, the community ride, the 25, 50 and 100-kilometre ride, all of that makes a huge difference for us and that will go towards our $330,000 goal.”
Anyone 16 years and older is welcome to participate in the community ride which will leave from Muskoseepi Park. On June 10th, 20 riders will leave the city and travel 830 kilometres through Valleyview, High Prairie, Slave Lake, Swan Hills and Westlock on the Grande Tour of Hope ride.
The Kids with Cancer Society provides resources like education and financial assistance to children fighting cancer and their families across the province. Lennstrom says that includes 33 families in the Grande Prairie area. Because of that, they wanted to start the ride here this year.
“We definitely want to do some more work in the area to tell our story and tell our families’ stories…we’re definitely honoured that we can give our kids a voice and let the community know that we are here to support their families.”
To register for one of the rides, visit their website.