Marion Redpath says it’s unfortunate that bikers often get a bad rap.
She cites the kindness displayed every year at the Ride N’ Seek charity motorcycle ride as proof of their character.
“Bikers are such generous people in general,” said Redpath, who along with her husband, Bill, organizes the charity ride out of Eagle’s Landing Ontario, their motorcycle sales and service business on County Road 109 in Teviotdale.
“Everybody thinks it’s great,” she said of the event, where the proceeds always go towards helping a child from northern Wellington County.
“We just decided we wanted to help out kids in our community,” Redpath said, adding they also wanted to ensure all the money would get to the people that need it most and not get tied up in administrative costs, as can happen with large charitable organizations.
About $2,200 – after expenses – was raised this year. The money will help build a play centre for 5-year-old Carter Webber, of Mount Forest, to assist with the development of his gross motor skills. Any funds left over will help cover therapy costs for Webber, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The sixth annual ride on July 4 began in Teviotdale and included stops in Belwood and Maryhill, with bikers travelling a total of 250 kilometres. After the ride about 250 people enjoyed a pork and beef barbecue and live entertainment.
There were 140 riders and seven teams scored perfect, so the Redpaths had to draw the winners. Cam and Lori Forbes, of Harriston, took first place; Carol and Arnold Duby, of Damascas, claimed second place; and John and Kathy Scheeringa, of Elmira, came in third.
Redpath said honourable mentions should go to Richard and Brenda Good, Clarence and Diane Nieuwhof, Tom and Akkie King. and Jim and Liz Walter – all of whom also had perfect scores.
Past Ride N’ Seek events helped build a wheelchair ramp for a Harriston boy, contributed to the trust fund for a Harriston girl who lost her foot in an unfortunate accident, covered expenses for the family of an Arthur boy with leukemia, and purchased a motorized scooter for a 5-year-old Drayton girl with cerebral palsy.
Redpath said she would like to recognize the following event sponsors: Belwood Pines Restaurant, Bosman Home Front, Ideal Supply/UAP, Marcc Apparel, Corey Purcell of Matco Tools, Wray Turton of Cal-Ray Automotive, Motovan, Palmerston Motors, Preston Cycle Products, Harriston Bakery, Mark Jennings, Raynbow Signs, Brian Garnet, Dobson’s of Palmerston, the Palmerston Legion, the Teviotdale Truck Stop and Print One in Mount Forest.
