A group of bicycle riders plans to raise funds for the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation June 22 with a trip from North Battleford to Meota and back.
The riders will be members of the Saskatchewan Corrections Charity Bike Riders, a group of correctional officers and invited guests from all over Saskatchewan who organize and participate in charity bike rides.
Jerry Jarvis, Community Projects, Prince Albert Correctional Centre, Ministry of Justice, says the ride will take place on June 22.
This is not the first year the Saskatchewan Corrections Charity Bike Riders have ridden to raise funds for the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, but it is the first year a ride has been planned specifically to begin and end in this community. In the last three previous years, riders took part in trips at Prince Albert or Saskatoon, but raising funds for the hospital here.
The day of the ride, participants will meet at the parking lot of the Young Offenders facility on the Saskatchewan Hospital grounds at 7:30 a.m. Jarvis expects upwards of 15 riders, and welcomes newcomers as well.
"We're happy to have more."
One hundred per cent of the funds raised, says Jarvis, will go to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation. Everybody pays their own expenses.
"It's for a good cause," he says.
The riders will probably return to the starting point by about 4 p.m. for a barbecue and presentations.
They are partnering this year with Scotiabank, says Jarvis. Bank staff will be helping out with fundraising, as riders and as road crew.
The bank is also displaying a bicycle donated by Walmart and will be selling tickets on it.
Travis Clarke, branch manager, says they've already started their fundraising, having held a chili sale, raising $541. They are also planning a barbecue for June 20 in front of the bank.
Clarke said Scotiabank will be matching what the branch staff raises, up to $5,000.
