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Writer's pictureJoshua Paxton

LANSDOWNE FAMILIES SALUTE MOTORCYCLE FUNDRAISERS

20th Anniversary Charity Motorcycle Ride #ForTheKids Raises Over $55,000 For Special Needs Programs


lansdowne children's centre charity motorcycle ride brimich logistics brantford ontario
400 riders lined up for the 20th annual Lansdowne Charity Motorcycle Ride #ForTheKids on July 6, 2024 at Brimich Logistics - 15 Kraemer's Way, Brantford, Ontario in the Oak Park Road industrial plaza off Highway 403.


Brantford, ON – Brantford’s loudest fundraiser lived up to its name on Saturday July 6 when 400 motorcycle riders lined up and rolled out of the Brimich Logistics facility in the Oak Park industrial plaza to tour the region in support of Lansdowne Children’s Centre.


The 20th annual Lansdowne Charity Motorcycle Ride raises funds and awareness for our region’s children’s treatment centre and the services and programs provided for infants, children and youth with special needs, and their families.



event photos courtesy of Danovision Productions


Together, behind representatives of Brantford Police and other regional motorcades, the long parade of Harley-Davison, Triumph, Yamaha, Ducati and other motorcycle models began their tour across Brant Ave to Lansdowne Children’s Centre at 39 Mount Pleasant Street, then looping out to Caledonia and Hagersville, returning along Indian Line to the County of Brant. The no touch down ride runs approximately 90-minutes and attracts participation from all over Ontario and the northern United States.


“This ride has been a highlight of my year,” said Lucas Cadet-Herchenroder, rider and fundraiser.


“It’s special, because while you’re enjoying this great event you know that you’re helping empower kids and their families.”




Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation greeted the riders on their return and hosted a celebration catered by Strodes BBQ & Deli, with live music performed by BarCode the band, sponsored by Maria’s Original Pizza Brantford.


Special recognition was given to the outstanding support of the local business community, including top and returning sponsor partners Gates Canada, Renway Energy, Extend Communications, Royal Bank of Canada, Millards Chartered Professional Accountants, Brandt Group of Companies, J.H. Young Fine Jewellers and Aevitas.


With the crowd gathered in front of the Pynx Productions main stage, Candace Kingyens from Lansdowne Foundation excitedly thanked participants and sponsors and revealed the results of the 2024 Lansdowne Ride #ForTheKids.


“You all have outdone yourselves this year. We are so grateful for your support of Lansdowne Children’s Cente, and all the thousands of infants, children and youth, and the families that Lansdowne programs and services help. This year’s ride has raised over $55,000! That has an incredible impact on the continued growth of programs like Every Kid Counts, other recreation and support opportunities for the kids.”

The fundraising figure was not the only big money announcement of the afternoon. At 1:30 p.m. the Foundation shared that Cindy Toll of Brantford was the winner of the Charity Motorcycle Ride 50/50 raffle, receiving a prize of $5,800. She shared that she intended to share the winnings with the friend who bought her the ticket for her birthday.




MPP Brantford-Brant Will Bouma, City of Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, and Lansdowne Children's Centre Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley also expressed immense gratitude for the support of centre programs and client families, and the efforts to build a new children's treatment centre facility in Brantford.


Over its 20-year history the Lansdowne Charity Motorcycle Ride has generated over $1.35 million in financial support for Lansdowne Children’s Centre. Part of the proceeds each year have helped fund the Every Kid Counts program, providing a Support Worker free of charge for children/youth with developmental disabilities/additional needs that require extra support to be able to attend a day camp or other recreation programs in the community of Brantford-Brant.

 

Lansdowne Child and Youth Ambassadors

Two Lansdowne client families participated as child and youth ambassadors, representing the children’s treatment centre programs and services, in the Charity Motorcycle Ride.


Lexa MacMartin was joined by her father Stephen and mother Kate, who spoke to the crowd of participants and volunteers about their Lansdowne journey, the friendships and support they discovered when they joined Lansdowne’s Family Support Network, and what it meant to see the hundreds of riders making an impact.


Sisters Autumn and Alexis McDermott were joined by their mom Amanda, who shared how the girls have enjoyed social and skill-building programs at Lansdowne in addition to the support they have received from Lansdowne service providers in speech, physio and occupational therapy.

 

20 Year History, Grand Finale?

The Lansdowne Charity Motorcycle Ride was founded in 2005 by local business owner and “Culligan Man” Bob Caissie, whose family experienced the care and support provided by Lansdowne when their children were in their early years. The motorcycle ride was a summer compliment to another of Caissie’s fundraising efforts, an annual snowmobile adventure - the Great Northern Ride.


Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation stepped up to organize and manage the motorcycle ride fundraiser after 2019. The 20-year milestone matches the achievement of the Great Northern Ride. After decades of riding rough terrain and winding country roads, the founding partners were ready for a change of pace. That loss has left a void in the planning committee, and Lansdowne Foundation cannot continue the event on its own.


“We would love to see a third-party continue this event,” expressed Jennifer White, Executive Director of Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation.


“We have received a lot of interest from a number of parties, and we’re excited to support and share our experience to see this event continue.”

Lansdowne Foundation will be announcing an information event later this summer, offering an open invitation to anyone interested in helping the Lansdowne Charity Motorcycle Ride continue in 2025. The Foundation will provide a presentation on their experience as past event planners and seek to form a formal third-party committee of organizers.





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