Terry Martin from Niverville has been participating in Ride for Refuge almost since its inception in Kitchener-Waterloo. Although Martin didn't begin riding until 2008, the event’s inaugural ride in 2004 was a fresh idea, with just 20 riders raising $20,000 for a charity called International Teams, which worked with refugees.
“It was actually a friend of mine who decided he would ride his bike,” says Martin. “He was working for a mission at the time.”
Within a few years, more riders got involved, and by 2008 it had outgrown the original mission and become its own foundation, Blue Sea Philanthropy. Martin says that’s when it mushroomed, changing the goal from raising money specifically for refugees to including a host of other charities helping the displaced, the vulnerable, and the exploited. Today, there are dozens of rides across Canada. In 2015, 6,600 riders in 30 locations raised $2 million for 225 different partner charities.
In the event’s 12-year history, the numbers are even more impressive. More than $10 million has been raised in total for over 300 charities. And every year seems to surpass the year before. This year’s national goal is $2.5 million.
In 2010, instead of making the trip to Kitchener-Waterloo again, Martin decided it was time for Manitoba to have a ride of its own. “That year, we had the first one here in Niverville. We had about 40 people out and we raised about $6,000. But unknown to me, there was another group in Winnipeg that same year. And I didn’t know that. So we joined forced in 2011 and put together a ride team.”
The 2011 ride had about 125 riders raising $60,000.
“We were pumped,” says Martin. “For a first year, that was really good. And then it’s just grown. Last year, we had 260 participants who raised $124,000. This year, we’re poised to come close to 500 participants and we hope to raise $145,000.”
It’s not just riders, he clarifies. Last year, they added a walk as well. The goal has been to make the family-friendly event as inclusive as possible, regardless of a person’s age or fitness level. Martin says that’s one of the things that makes Ride for Refuge so unique.
“There are kids there riding wee little bikes, there are kids along in pull-along bikes, there are retired people riding cruising bikes, people walking… it’s for everybody,” Martin says. “And then there’s some really avid cyclists, too, that will do the 50K.”
One of the best parts of the ride for Martin is seeing such a diverse range of participants—parents with kids in tow, people in wheelchairs, seniors, and so on. “A fond, vivid memory I have from last year was watching a person with mobility challenges cross the finish line on crutches with a huge smile as everyone around cheered. The person looked so proud and special.”
This year, the ride will begin at the Covenant Christian Reformed Church, at the north end of Gateway in North Kildonan. There are three different routes available—a 10K, 25K, and 50K. The 10K route follows a bike path that proceeds down Gateway, the 25K route goes up into East St. Paul to the Bird’s Hill area, and the 50K takes riders all the way to Lockport. The walk option is 5K and follows the Bunn’s Creek trail.
“The way this event works is that charities can partner with Ride for Refuge and they become partner charities,” Martin explains. “Partner charities put teams into the ride, and those teams go out and get sponsors. After it’s all over, the charity gets a grant of up to 80 percent of what the team has raised.”
To be a partner charity, you have to apply and be approved by the organization. “The ride is for raising funds for the displaced, vulnerable, and exploited. That’s sort of the roadway, so to speak, and any charity that works with those groups of people can be a partner in the ride.”
Martin’s charity is Rising Above. Not only will Martin’s team be raising money for Rising Above, but it’s the host charity for the whole event. That means Rising Above has the responsibility to plan the event and bear the organizing costs, which is where sponsors come in. This year, Rising Above’s financial sponsors are Wm. Dyck & Sons, Qualico Homes, Funk’s Toyota, Hulls Bookstore, Niverville Credit Union, Lakeview Insurance Brokers, and Valleywest Landscaping. Rest stop hosts are Concordia Church of God and Oakbank Baptist Church. Woodcock Cycle and CHVN Radio will provide ride day support, and the Clarence Braun & Wesley Dowse Realty Team has donated lunch.
“Rising Above helps aboriginal people heal and rise above abuses,” Martin says of his ministry, “so that they can come to experience life, identity, and purpose as they were created to. That’s our mission statement.”
The ministry does this through conferences and workshops which draw people together who have been affected by abuse, such as in residential schools. They also have a counselling centre in Thunder Bay that’s open every day.
Martin is counting down the days to this year’s ride. “The day is just exhilarating,” he says. “I just get such a charge out of it, seeing all these people come together, riding for one purpose. They’re from many different charities, but really there’s something that unites them all—and that’s really cool.”
