A series of fundraising events is setting this stage ahead of eight riders setting off to cycle from Victoria to the northern tip of Vancouver Island and back.
From June 17 to 19 a relay team of cyclists will ride to Port Hardy and back non-stop to raise money for the Island Kids Cancer Association during the inaugural End2End Cancer fundraiser.
Island Kids Cancer Association is a small, grassroots charity that has supported hundreds of Island children facing a cancer diagnosis and their families. The organization offers programs and services focused on financial support, mental health and countering the isolation often experienced by such families.
During the ride, four pairs of cyclists take turns riding a succession of 50-kilometre segments. Each pair will pedal for roughly two hours, rest for six, then climb back in the saddle for another leg of the round-the-clock journey.
“It’s a Vancouver Island-based solution to a Vancouver Island problem,” said Andy Dunstan, a retired police officer who came up with the idea. He now works part time at Trek Bicycle Store in Victoria, where owner Bill Fry jumped on board.
“We have sponsored and been involved in many cycling-related fundraisers over the years, leaving us with a wonderful resource: a group of people with the experience, passion and know-how to pull off an event like End2End,” Fry said.
The support since, continues to pour in, with fundraising events up and down the Island ahead of the ride itself.
In Greater Victoria, The Battle of the Dad Bands at the Capital Ballroom on May 24 supports the cause. The event features bands Last Night In Vegas, Not 4 Public Consumption and Big Font in a night of high-energy music with tickets $30, available at End2endcancer.com/events.
The Uptown Brown’s Social House hosts a spinathon June 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where residents can meet some of the End2End riders as they pedal. You can buy a $10 or $20 balloon stuffed with fabulous mystery prizes. The grand prize will be a Tofino stay at the Best Western and a $100 Brown’s gift card.
The same day, Jack Knox signs books and tells cheesy dad jokes by donation. From June 7-17, Russell’s will sell gently used copies of Knox’s four titles for $15 each, with all the money going to IKCA via End2End. On Saturday, June 14, the riders make an appearance during a barbecue outside the Canadian Tire at the Hillside Centre.
For those looking for a little bang for their buck, bags of Drumroaster Coffee’s End2End coffee beans are available for $20 at Victoria’s Trek Bicycle Store and End2End events. All proceeds support the cause.
Up Island, the Royston Barn Dance is set for Saturday, May 31, featuring band Big Font – which includes End2End riders Bill Fry and Andy Dunstan – at the Fallen Alders Hall. For tickets contact Robin at tinyacresranch@gmail.com. From now until June 17, the Tsolum Veterinary Hospital in Merville will devote five per cent of all veterinary exam proceeds and 100 per cent of all dog wash proceeds to End2End. For more information, go to tsolumvet.ca
Find more events and ways to support the ride at end2endcancer.com. Learn more about the cause at ikca.ca.
