Vancouver Island’s End2End cycling relay more than doubles fundraising record

This week,  cyclists who rode in the second annual End2End cycling relay were able to more than double what was raised in the fundraiser’s inaugural year. 

The cyclists set out to ride 1,000 kilometres around-the-clock within 48 hours. 

Their fundraising efforts paid off as the event has thus far raised $272,843, with more coming in even though the relay has been completed. 

Last year, in the fundraiser’s first year, the cyclists raised around $110,000. 

According to End2End organizers, the ride this year was a gruelling challenge where cyclists battled windy days, dark nights and fatigue while pedalling from Victoria to Port Hardy and back non-stop. 

Representing Greater Victoria in the relay was well-known broadcaster Ed Bain, his CHEK News The Upside partner Jeff King, Saskia Bjornson, Ryan Clarke, Morgan Harker, Kevin Nunn, Sophia Pugh, Sara Park and Jen Millar whose son was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago at just 9-years-old. 

The organizers also noted that Park tackled the relay less than a year after completing her own cancer treatment.

In groups of two or three, the cyclists took turns pedalling a succession of 50-kilometre segments. 

Each team member rode a total of 250 kilometres over the 47 hours of the ride.

The $272,843 raised will go to the Island Kids Cancer Association (IKCA).

The IKCA operates as a small frontline charity that provides financial aid, mental-health supports and other services to Vancouver Island families impacted by childhood cancer.

“Understanding the journey and spreading awareness is key to community involvement and raising much-needed funding,” said Susan Kerr, executive director of IKCA, who founded the charity in 2017 and has lost a son, Jacob, to cancer. 

“The individuals within End2End not only understand, but have taken on this cause as their own, which is amazing.”

Kerr added that End2End riders and those who donated to the cause have made a tangible difference for kids and families impacted by childhood cancer. 

According to the fundraiser’s organizers, almost all the donations for this year’s End2End relay came from people on Vancouver Island, which is where it will remain as it aids families in need.