Great Ride 'n' Stride reaches $10,000 goal
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An "easy walk" around Lake Lisgar Sunday afternoon in the 47th annual Great Ride 'n' Stride to Beat Cancer helped raise more than $10,510 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Bill Pratt, official photographer for Sunday's event, was again the Top Individual Fundraiser, bringing in $3,000.
"I walked yesterday with my wife (Marion)," said Pratt, who was also at Tillsonburg's first Great Ride N Stride. "I've been to most of them... but I missed some."
"We have some new teams registered again, which is fantastic," said Melissa Boesterd, Tillsonburg Branch President of the Canadian Cancer Society, noting the addition of Sandy's Saints. "We also have some new individuals who have joined us."
The Great Ride N Stride's 3-km route, which goes back more than eight years, said Boesterd, started at the Tillsonburg Community Centre, taking them around Lake Lisgar and back to the centre for refreshments and trophy presentations.
Thirty-four individuals pre-registered for the event, Boesterd noted, but she estimated overall numbers were closer to 50 including the McLaughlins, who all register under one name.
"If we make just over $10,000, that would make our total for the last 10 years over $100,000, from right here in town, which is pretty significant for our small branch. So that's our goal for today."
The Great Ride 'n' Stride organizers would like to thank event sponsors, including the Tillsonburg Community Centre for use of the facility, Tim Hortons on Broadway, for donating Timbits, and Morgan Realty, who donated many of the door prizes.
"And thank you to all the participants," said Boesterd. "It's all about the participants and the volunteers today."
When the awards were presented later that afternoon, it was announced they had surpassed the $10,000 mark, helping them reach the $100,000 10-year target.
In addition to the Ann Phipps Memorial Trophy presented to Pratt, an award was presented to the highest community team fundraiser, Mount Elgin United Church ($885). The Madge Montgomery Memorial Award went to the McLaughlins, highest family fundraising team ($2,650). And the Jeff Squires Memorial Trophy was presented to Coward Pharmachoice, top business team ($1,625).