Cyclists ride to boost access to water
Group plans stop in Kelowna today on ride to raise money for water projects in Somalia
Agroup of cyclists riding from Vancouver to Calgary and drinking only what they find from natural sources along the way will pedal into Kelowna today.
Seven cyclists on the Wheels for Wells Bike Tour are raising awareness and money for water projects in Somalia.
They started their tour on Thursday in Vancouver and are slated to arrive in Kelowna today. They’ll leave Kelowna on Saturday for Revelstoke. They’re scheduled to arrive in Calgary on Monday.
Wheels for Wells was founded by a nine-year-old Calgarian Alex Weber. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe and clean drinking water to some of the most vulnerable populations on the planet. This is the fifth Wheels for Wells ride.
“In Canada . . . we have access to an abundance of water. The No. 1 point of this ride is to create awareness of global communities that do not,” said David Custer, participant and ride director, in a news release.
Rider Jaylene Kemp said: “Although riding over 1,000 kilometres from Vancouver to Calgary will be a huge test of my endurance, it won’t be anything in comparison to the struggle millions face every day in their search for clean and safe drinking water.”
To date, more than $180,000 has been raised, enabling more than 100,000 people to have access to pure and sustainable water, the organization says.