This fall, a group of 43 riders will take place in the transcontinental Sears National Kids Cancer Ride across Canada, starting in Vancouver and ending in Halifax, on the other side of the country. The trans-continental ride is designed to raise money for childhood cancer research, and participants are now accepting pledges. Running from September 9-15, organizers say they believe this is one of the largest events in the world raising money for childhood cancer research.
The National Kids Cancer Ride participants are a team selected from a pool of applicants to be the next ambassadors for the cause. Riding in relay style, the selected national riders will each ride approximately 165 km per day joined along the way by thousands of other caring cyclists who will cycle shorter, “stage ride†distances in major cities across Canada. Participants will stop each night in a different city to speak to those affected by childhood cancer, and the 17 day event will act as a launching ground for numerous events across the country.
Each participant is asked to raise $25,000 in pledges in addition to a $4,000 registration fee to cover the logistical cost of putting on an event like this; the registration fee is designed so that 100% of donations can go directly to charities. The Sears National Kids Cancer ride has a $1.5 million fundraising goal for 2010.
The ride’s website has blogs for all the participants, logging their preparation and travel for the trip. Fore more information on the event and to donate or sponsor a rider, visit the website here.
