Burford farmer Larry Davis left his County of Brant town crier uniform at home in favor of black leather, as he and his wife took part in the Ride to Thrive charity motorcycle ride on Saturday in Brantford.
“Sally and I are just delighted to be on this trip this year,” said Davis who has traveled more than one million kilometers while riding motorcycles over the past 56 years.
Proceeds from Ride To Thrive are split evenly between Participation Support Services and the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“It’s always a good time and Doug (Hunt) does a great job of leading us through and picking a route to go,” Davis said. I’ve been here every year.”
About 40 riders gathered at a plaza on Colborne Street West on Saturday morning, where they were given a card listing checkpoints at motorcycle shops along the route.
Brantford Motorcycle in the city’s west end was the first stop, followed by Davidson Sports in Norwich, the Power Garage in Woodstock, Second Gear in Ayr, and Dual Sport on West Street back in Brantford. The businesses at each stop validated each rider’s card.
Participants then headed to the Brant Naval Veterans Association for food, beverages and to turn in their completed cards for a prize drawing.
Organizer Doug Hunt of Participation Support Services praised the event’s two major sponsors, the Brant Naval Veterans Association, and the Brantford Lions Club.
“In doing this there’s more than money involved,” Hunt observed. “It’s community support and community friends, having people come out and if we keep doing things like that then all of a sudden, we get support in other ways.”
Over the ride’s eight-year history, he estimates $40,000 in total has been raised and divided between PSS and CMHA including a significant donation each year from the Brant Naval Veterans Association.
Hunt said that while the number of riders is less than other charity motorcycle rides, over the year there will be benefits from networking and friendships made during the events.
“Everyone is out here not only to have a good time, but in doing that, help other people they probably don’t even know. They know the two organizations and their reputation.”
Lill Petrella, team lead at CMHA said their portion of the proceeds go to the mental health promotion program which is also responsible for family support.
“It helps us offer programming and events for families with people who have loved ones living with mental illness.”