Village on the Thames raises $754 for HSF during annual Big Bike campaign

Big Bike team consisted of staff and their children, volunteers, and one resident and his daughters
6/22/2018  - Deron Hamel
 

Village on the Thames raised $754 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSF) for the charity’s annual Big Bike ride in Chatham-Kent on May 24.

As part of the annual Big Bike campaign, teams ride a 29-seat bicycle, called the Big Bike, through Canadian communities every May to raise money for HSF and to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke.

The Village on the Thames team had 17 riders this year, including one of the Chatham-Kent seniors living community’s residents, Vince Pinsonneault. Vince joined this year’s Big Bike team with his two daughters for the 20-minute ride around town, notes fun co-ordinator Tina Drew.

“He loved it; he had a great time, and Vince and I both got medals (for participating), too,” Tina says. “And some of the staff members brought their teenage kids along, and we had a couple of our volunteers come along as well.”

Most Big Bike teams ask each rider to raise at least $50 to ride the bike. But Village on the Thames raises money collectively as a team. Prior to the event, barbecues were hosted at the residence, and all proceeds were donated to the HSF.

There was also a jeans day, where staff members could wear jeans to work if they donated $2 to the charity. The team has decided to keep this initiative going throughout the year.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada for both men and women. It is estimated that someone in Canada dies every seven minutes from heart disease or stroke.

Given the impact cardiovascular disease has on Canadians, Tina says it’s important to Village on the Thames to support the HSF during the Big Bike campaign every year.

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