Two local residents are getting fit while raising money for a great cause this August and they are asking other residents to join them.
Deb Eben and Jim Horsfield are taking part in the 2021 Great Canadian Cycle Challenge, an online fundraiser that encourages cyclists across Canada to challenge themselves and set their own personal riding goal throughout August to fight kids’ cancer through the SickKids Foundation.
Eben has lived in Airdrie since March 2019 and says she wants to take part in the Challenge to improve her fitness and help raise money for a great cause.
“I lost a good friend of mine to cancer in 2019 and her sister died of cancer as a child; it is a horrible disease and I’m sure we all know someone who has had it,” she says.
“Money donated to this challenge is used to fund lifesaving research to develop safer and more effective treatments and find cures for all childhood cancers.”
Eben recently raised her fundraising goal from $500 to $1,000 and has the goal of cycling 100 kilometres throughout the month of August. She says she is touched by people’s generosity to donate at a time that is tough for many.
“I want to bring awareness to the SickKids Foundation and the fantastic work that they do for the kids who have cancer,” she says.
Horsfield, who is Eben’s teammate on their team called the Airdrie Fit Chasers, says he wanted to take part to challenge himself physically and to give himself and his supporters a “feel good moment.”
“We can all use a happy story right now and that is what this is,” he says.
“Getting healthy while raising money for children who need it.”
The 15-year Airdrie resident adds that the team would love to support a family in need in the community who has a child that is fighting cancer.
“We are looking for a local family who is struggling with cancer to rally around,” Horsfield says.
“We want to make it extra special and give that child an extra special day.”
The team will host a kick-off event at 10 am at East Lake Park, meeting at the Gazebo. The group plans to do a six-kilometre loop that day.
“All participants are more than welcome to ride more if they would like, our plan is to do a large loop and end back at that parking lot,” he says, adding he has dedicated every weekend in August to riding to reach his goal of 100 kilometres.
“Whether you are riding in the Great Cycle Challenge as an individual rider or if you are already part of another team, you are welcome and encouraged to join us in making this inaugural ride a big splash for SickKids and the city of Airdrie on the first day of this challenge.”
For more information, click here.
stacie@frogmediainc.ca
