Did you hear the roar of several motorcycles Saturday? Chances are you did as the third annual Ride For Sight hit Sault Ste. Marie streets and other parts of the district.
The ride gives motorcycle enthusiasts a chance to mingle and ride their hogs for a good cause while still enjoying a full day including an early breakfast at 7am before traveling south from Batchawana through the Sault to Echo Bay and Garden River.
Carter Syrette from Garden River First Nations is four years old and suffers from Famillial Exudative Vitreor Retinopathy (FEVR), a very rare disease that leaves him completely blind, it’s one of many visual impairment diseases Ride For Sight brings awareness and donations to.
Co-organizer, Greg Simpson tells Saultonline.com that Saturday’s event will raise $4,000 throughout the weekend and from generous local sponsors that goes directly to help find cures for local residents such as Mac Marcoux, local Paralympics 2014 Gold Medalist suffers from Stargardt’s disease which leaves him with only 10% of his vision.
Ride for Sight is the longest running motorcycle charity fundraiser in Canada; raising funds in support of sight saving research through the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The first ride began in 1979 in Central Ontario. The Sault Ste Marie event started in 2012 at the Roberta Bondar pavilion and after a very successful first year it was decided to move the event out to Searchmont Ski Resort to provide the participants with a camping option and to experience the true beauty of the area. It will be held in the same location and on July 11, 12 &13 in 2014.
By Craig Huckerby - July 12, 2014