Welland County Motorcycle Club raises funds for research
What started off as a small ride at Welland County Motorcycle Club to raise funds for cancer research turned into a full-fledged event that’s raised more than $22,000 in six years.
Club member Jim Stokes said he was involved in Movember fundraising before his retirement six years ago and decided to carry that over to the motorcycle club.
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide.
“We called it the Mustache Ride because it is a catchy name and we were donating to Movember. Since November wasn’t riding weather, I said ‘I have some extra beer and I’ll bring it out the club, put it on ice and we’ll do a nice ride the last Sunday of September and barbecue afterwards.’ All I asked was for everyone to make a donation. We raised $550,” Stokes said of the first ride
Following the success and looking for a charity project, the club made it a formal ride the following year, still donating to Movember.
The ride was honed over the years as the numbers grew, and Stokes said it made sense to continue with Movember as many of the men in the club aged. He said a number of club members have been touched by prostate cancer over the years.
“At the same time, some of us attended the Ride for Dad Niagara, run by the Niagara Regional Police Association with all money raised in Niagara being donated to treatment, awareness and research in Niagara.”
Stokes said a decision was made in 2017 to switch the fundraising ride over to Ride for Dad Niagara.
“Last year we hit $5,000 and we were given platinum status by Ride for Dad as one of the largest single donors to the local cause. We were pumped by this accomplishment. That meant that we had raised and donated just over $15,000 in our first five years, from a pretty auspicious beginning.”
Stokes said the ride team meets monthly, from January to September, and works to keep it the same — a fun, easy ride with donations going to a good cause.
“We pecked away at expenses and worked on sponsors to lower our costs. This year, we added fundraisers during the year barbecues, small raffles and more. We have excellent sponsors who donate door and raffle prizes as well as cash and food.”
“We feel we are without parallel for fun and value for your donation. We have also partnered with First Ontario Credit Union’s Blue Wave volunteers to help. We have great support from our club, as well.”
Stokes said more than $7,000 was raised.