Sarnians excel in Great Cycle Challenge
Cathy Dobson
Cyclists throughout Sarnia-Lambton did themselves proud this month, bringing in a record $61,820 and cycling 16,054 kilometres in the Great Cycle Challenge for SickKids Hospital.
“We did incredibly well,” said Roel Bus, local champion and spokesperson for the Great Cycle that raises money to fight childhood cancer. It ends today.
“Personally, I will finish with 1,032 kilometres ridden after my commute home tonight and $5,598 raised,” he said. “That is $1,800 more than my previous highest amount.
“I am humbled.”
Bus has been participating for nine years and was joined this year by 140 other residents from the Sarnia area.
Sarnia chapter has done very well this year, Bus said. The chapter has more than 20 people in the Peloton Club, which means they each raised more than $1,000.
“Fantastic. As the local champion and having been there since the beginning, this makes me proud,” Bus said. “The community really came together. Maybe next year we can organize a group ride or two.”
Bus is a Sarnia firefighter and recruited fellow firefighter Shawn Schinkel who raised $2,103 so far. Although the event ends today, donating is still possible throughout September.
To view how each local cyclist did, visit www.greatcyclechallenge.ca and find Sarnia under “Chapters.”
An estimated 1,700 Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer each year and three die from it every week.
SickKids treats about 25% of all childhood cancer across the country at the Garron Family Cancer Centre.
“I don’t have any lived experience with childhood cancer, thank goodness,” said Bus.