Bikes out for a good cause in Fleurimont
65 bikes and $45 000. That is what the Charles Bruneau Bike Tour’s new Découverte Sherbrooke bike path amassed for its first ever edition last Saturday.
“We are super excited about our wonderful success” said event director Marieclaude Lachance. The event exceeded its target amount of $30 000.
The Charles Bruneau Foundation Bike Tour is composed of many different treks for cyclists to complete. The treks raise money for pediatric cancer research. This new path on the tour is of 50 to 100 kilometers, significantly less than the 600 kilometers offered before. Lachance said that the goal of the trek was to be accessible to less advanced cyclists.
“We’re looking to grow, to show people what we are doing and innovate.” She explained. “Its all of the children in Quebec who will benefit from this.”
The Charles Bruneau Foundation has already funded a new wing at the CHUS in Sherbrooke, giving a $1 million donation. Many of the participating bikers at the Découverte Sherbrooke bike path were CHUS employees, according to Lachance. With their collaboration, she expects the event to gain more momentum next year. “We have a good partnership with the CHUS”.
A wonderful surprise arrived at the Parc Quintal, where the bikes took off. Nichole Salazar, the 14-year-old spokesperson of the Découverte, said a few words to the crowd.
“Last summer was a terrible one for me.” Said the young ovarian cancer survivor. “But I know that this one will be great, all thanks to the Charles Bruneau Foundation.”
Salazar is now in remission. She had a surgery provided by a Charles Bruneau doctor last year. “It was a perfect day.” Said Lachance. Donations can still be made on the Charles Bruneau Foundation website. The foundation hopes to raise $3 million dollars. So far, they have a little over a million.