Ride
for Sight is the longest running motorcycle charity fundraiser in Canada; the first ride began in 1979 in Central Ontario.
Since its inception,
Ride for Sight has been hosted in many different regions, annually (including Minden, Peterborough, Fenelon Falls, Collingwood).
In
2006, eight Ride for Sight events will be enjoyed in seven provinces across the country (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,
Northwest Territories, Maritimes, Newfoundland, Central Ontario and Northwestern Ontario); each regional Ride has its unique
features.
Annual Ride for
Sight weekend celebration events are supported in part by generous corporate sponsorship and are organized by volunteer Ride
for Sight Planning Teams.
While Ride for
Sight participants are primarily comprised of motorcyclists -- volunteers, fundraisers and supporters also include non-motorcyclists
and families affected by retinal diseases.
Ride for Sight
is the single largest private fundraising initiative for vision research in the world.
To-date, Ride
for Sight has raised more than $14 million in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness,
the only organization in Canada whose sole mandate is to fund research for blindness caused by retinal degenerations.
How Ride for Sight Works
Ride for Sight participants collect donations (some, all year round)
from friends, colleagues and family; those who raise a minimum donation of ($50 to $75 depending on the region), are eligible
to participate at a Ride for Sight Celebration event.
The Celebrations
feature festivities like: bike games, live entertainment, show n’ shines, a vendor marketplace and more.
Participants
also have the option of riding in a motorcycle parade from a select location to the celebration site; takes place on the Saturday
of the weekend celebration; Central Ontario Ride is the largest motorcycle parade in the country
Ride for Sight’s Cause
In 2005, Ride for Sight nationally raised $1.2 million dollars for The Foundation
Fighting Blindness, the only organization in Canada dedicated to funding research into the causes, treatments and
cures for retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
100% of donation
money collected by riders and volunteers in donor books is given directly to The Foundation Fighting Blindness – Canada.
Since 1979, Ride
for Sight has helped fund important vision research through the Foundation Fighting Blindness at universities and teaching
hospitals across Canada, including The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, University oToronto, University of British Columbia,
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Universities of Calgary, Alberta and Lethbridge,
and the University of Western Ontario.
“Not many
people know that Ride for Sight motorcyclists and their family and friends have been the largest community funding Canadian
vision research for more than 25 years,” said Sharon Colle, National Executive Director, Foundation Fighting Blindness.
“Their commitment to fund research into the causes, the needed treatments and ultimately the cures for blindness is
inspiring.”
Join Ride for Sight today!
Ride for Sight has thousands of fundraising Riders and Friends
across the country. Join the fun at Ride for Sight for a great cause. Riders can pick up donation books and information at
the Ride for Sight booth at motorcycle shows, many dealers and shops throughout the provinces. Or call the Ride for Sight
line toll free 1-800-461-3331 and we can direct you to a Ride for Sight Information Centre or to a Ride for Sight Coordinator
in your area.
You can
also fundraise online at www.rideforsight.com. This makes it easier to tell friends about Ride for Sight and raise money. It is
also one of the most visited motorcycle websites on the world-wide-web for all your Ride for Sight updates www.rideforsight.com.
