Yarmouth County youth goes way beyond goal with cycling fundraiser

Alec d’Entremont set first goal at $500 but has raised $4,600 to date

Alec d’Entremont, a 15-year-old from Belleville who participated in the Great Cycle Challenge last month, set his first goal at $500.

He’s raised close to 10 times that amount in support of the fight against children’s cancer. As of July 4, the amount pledged was $4,700.

“June is usually a very busy month for me - with exams and swim competitions. I would also like to organize some kind of event for diabetes.”

— Alec d’Entremont

Donations are being accepted until July 31, the day before d’Entremont turns 16.

He cycled 307.9 kilometres on various local routes in June to complete the challenge.

He says his favourite route was through Ellenwood.

“I completed that one on my last ride,” he said.

“It was 48.4 km and I almost reached an average speed of 30km/hour. The wind was minimal and the traffic was low. I also had people cheering for me along the route.” D’Entremont says he would love to participate in the Great Cycle Challenge again.

“June is usually a very busy Alec d’Entremont, a 15-year-old from Belleville, raised close to 10 times the amount he set as a goal in the Great Cycle Challenge, in support of research to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer. month for me - with exams and swim competitions. I would also like to organize some kind of event for diabetes.”

His brother André was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 17 years old.

D’Entremont says he wanted to participate in the Great Cycle Challenge because more than 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it’s the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada.

“I just hope that I made a little difference in the life of a child with cancer,” he said.