What to know
- More than 500 motorcyclists are expected to take part in Sunday’s Ride for SickKids, travelling nearly 100 kilometres through York Region to raise money for SickKids research and patient care.
- Riders pay $65 for drivers and $55 for passengers, with organizers hoping to raise another $1 million this year.
- Last year, more than 600 riders helped raise around $1.7 million, far surpassing the event’s original $200,000 goal.
- Funds from this year’s ride will support the SickKids Foundation’s $1.3-billion campaign to build a new state-of-the-art hospital, which is already about three-quarters funded.
More than 500 motorcyclists are expected to band together to take a ride and raise money for SickKids research and patient care on Sunday.
The event starts in Maple, Ont., in a neighbourhood on the north side of Vaughan, with thousands of dollars expected to be raised.
During the annual event, riders raise money by paying a registration fee of $65 for the driver and $55 for an accompanying passenger prior to riding around a nearly 100-kilometre route through York Region.
Last year’s event raised thousands more than expected, with the initial goal of $200,000 being exceeded to around $1.7 million with the help of over 600 motorcyclists. Now the organization hopes to raise another million.
The money raised during Sunday’s event will go toward the SickKids Foundation’s effort to build a new, state-of- the-art hospital.
Of the 1.3-billion-dollar campaign, the organization is already three-quarters through, with Sunday’s event contributing to the goal, with organizers hoping this year’s ride will ideally push SickKids’ efforts to the finish line.
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Nella Figliano is the founder of the event. With a love for motorcycle riding alongside her husband, she thought it was the perfect opportunity to raise money to help children.
“Over the years, the event has grown into a parade of 600+ bikes gathering to raise money to support the little warriors fighting for their lives at SickKids, while doing what they love best: RIDING!” she wrote on the Ride for SickKids website.
The event began at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
