Tour de Manitouwadge – Donations Roll In For The MCAG

Written by admin on 16 August 2012

Far left is Dave ** the travelling musician, a music teacher from Prince George BC travelling across Canada by bicycle who had ridden in to town for the night and rode part of the course with the MCAG Bikers. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Saturday, August 11th, the Manitouwadge Cancer Assistance Group’s Annual Share the Care Ride was held departing from the Manitouwadge Recreation Centre. thins were changed up from the 10 & 54km rides done in past years. For 2012 Organizer Kristy Noftall invited riders to either have pledge sheets completed in advance (as did some) OR make a donation at the event where they were provided with maps of their route for the 2012 Tour de Manitouwadge.

Seven cyclists; Michaela Gionet, Jamie Thompson, Austin Thompson, Brooke Bodak, Elaine Milks, Virginia Thompson and event organizer, Kristy Lachance, of varying ages and abilities set forth to bike for one hour around Manitouwadge raising $802.68 to support those residents of the community living with cancer. The Manitouwadge Cancer Assistance Group (MCAG) was very pleased and appreciative of the results from this early morning fundraisers and says the funds will continue to ensure they can assist cancer patients with purchasing medications and/or travelling to Thunder Bay for treatments, follow-up appointments or other cancer care.

Garden pickets were sold downtown and offered extra encouragement for the riders as people made a donation and put the picket in their yards on the day of the big event (many have left them up as a sign of support for the MCAG).

MCAG volunteers Jackie Jung and Clare Milks worked ‘home base’ the morning of the event. They had a water station and collection table set up where they remained throughout to encourage riders as they lapped around the course. Riders rode whatever they were comfortable with though all put in impressive distances, from 14km up to 25km, in one hour. Participants and volunteers were unanimous that the event had been a success and was enjoyed by all.

The Manitouwadge Cancer Assistance Group thanks the community for its generosity, every donation is greatly appreciated. Organizer Kristy Lachance was pleased with the response to this new event but was looking forward to returning to Highway 614 for next year’s Share the Care ride “Next year the highway will be freshly paved, and everyone should prepare early for the 54km bike ride for cancer in 2013!” said Lachance.

: Far left is Dave ** the travelling musician, a music teacher from Prince George BC travelling across Canada by bicycle who had ridden in to town for the night and rode part of the course with the MCAG Bikers. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com