In January of this year, Lakeridge Health Foundation was proud to partner with donors and volunteers Matt and Kyle Douglas in their efforts to bring positive vibes to 2021 through two things very close to their hearts: cycling and local health care.
The inaugural initiative, Laps 4 Lakeridge Health, is a challenge inspired by the Foundation’s newest fundraising platform: Dayshift 8 Hour Challenge. The concept encourages individuals to start their own 8 hour fundraising challenges that would simulate a typical 8 hour (or longer) shift of the frontline workers that have been tirelessly keeping our families safe during the pandemic.
In light of the struggles that many are experiencing due to the pandemic, the brothers felt it important to support the Mental Health program at Lakeridge Health Oshawa through their Challenge. “We were really surprised with how much positive feedback we had from our networks,” reflects Kyle. “I had a few people message me saying how much they appreciated what we were doing for mental health. It really drove home the reason we were doing this Challenge.”
The brothers’ initial goal was to raise $10,000 but a groundswell of support quickly revealed that the community was keen to support this Challenge. By Saturday, January 30, the day of their Challenge, over $22,000 had been raised!
On the cold and snowy day, Kyle and Matt rode their Norco 'fat bikes' continuously for 8 hours on the trails of Durham Forest. As part of the initiative, four VIP (Very Important Peddlers) who raised or donated $1,000 each rode their own 1-hour challenge, safely and at a distance, on the course thanks to the Norco sponsorship. “We want to thank everyone that supported Laps 4 Lakeridge Heath. What started out as a simple idea to bring positivity and hope during another lockdown ballooned into something really amazing thanks to all of you,” says Matt Douglas. “We are lucky to have a local Hospital who is recognized for exceptional mental health care and we are honoured to support those programs in our community.
The Challenge would not have been such a success if it wasn’t for presenting sponsor CRCS DKI and Norco Bicycles, Smith Optics, Garneau, Oshawa Centre, Frantastic Events, Petley-Hare Limited, HMA-The Benefits People, Ryobi Canada, and Royal Ashburn Golf Course.
If you’d like to get involved in the 2022 Laps 4 Lakeridge Health Challenge, please contact Helen Knelsen at hknelsen@lh.ca.
