The inaugural Northern Tour for Health raised $100,000 for Health Sciences North.
The event found 77 participants take to their streets and trails with their bicycles throughout northeastern Ontario to raise funds for Health Sciences North causes close to them.
“Coming together and hosting an event of this magnitude was a challenge for us, but it’s definitely clear that we’re stronger together,” said Anthony Keating, president and chief development officer of foundations and volunteer groups at Health Sciences North.
“Giving participants the ability to choose which HSN cause best suits them gave us an incredible opportunity to learn more about what our community is passionate about and we can’t wait to put that knowledge to good use in our fundraising moving forward.”
Many participants formed teams to raise funds together, the most successful of which being the Pedal Pushers, which raised $12,798. This team was made up of eight Health Sciences North staff members and they rode more than 160 kilometres over the course of a week.
The other four teams to round out the event’s top five were:
- Geared Up: $6,427
- Rewind 103.9: $2,341.30
- W.O.W. -- Women on Wheels: $2,020
- Lab Bikes 4 Mike: $1,837.50
The amount of money raised was bolstered by event sponsor Ascend Fundraising Solutions, which committed $25,000 in matching funds.
“We had a lot of incredible support from our community, no tonly in participation but in donations and sponsorships as well,” Keating said. “Northeastern Ontario is definitely a special place and you can see that people here truly care about health care in their region and want to make a difference.”
Thanking the many people who made this year’s effort a reality, Keating said his fingers are crossed that next year’s event will be able to be held in person.
The event was the first collaboration between the three sister foundations, including Health Sciences North Foundation, NEO Kids Foundation and the Northern Cancer Foundation.
