Great Cycle Challenge participants Roel Bus and his great-nephew Owen Roberts. (Photo courtesy of Roel Bus)Great Cycle Challenge participants Roel Bus and his great-nephew Owen Roberts. (Photo courtesy of Roel Bus)
Sarnia

Local riders mark Great Cycle Challenge's 10th year

August marks the Great Cycle Challenge's 10th anniversary.

The nationwide initiative has raised over $54 million since launching in 2016 in support of the SickKids Foundation.

Sarnia's Roel Bus said locally, about 100 cyclists, including himself, are participating in the challenge.

"The money is specifically for SickKids Canada to fight kids cancer because kids have to live life and not fight for it, that's kind of their slogan for the Great Cycle Challenge," said Bus.

Bus said he's been participating in the challenge since it started.

"So my personal goal the last couple of years has been $2,500 and I've reached that the last few years," said Bus. "I started out with riding 500 kilometres making $500, and I've always done at least $1,000 so I'm actually over $25,000 right now."

Meanwhile, Wednesday, August 13 has been deemed Kick Cancer's Butt Day.

All donations made in support of the Great Cycle Challenge will be matched, up to $1.3 million by the Garron Family.

"It's such a great cause," said Bus. "It's devastating to see some of these kids go through what they go through."

About 1,700 children across Canada are diagnosed with cancer every year.

SickKids treats about 25 per cent of all childhood patients across the country at its Garron Family Cancer Centre in Toronto.

For more details, or to donate, visit www.greatcyclechallenge.ca

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