Residents at Berwick House in Gordon Head were lucky enough to play host to the 19 dedicated riders of this year’s Tour De Rock, welcoming them with water, snacks and words of encouragement.
Berwick House was one of the final stops on the 1,200-kilometre ride undertaken by emergency response members from around Vancouver Island.
“It was such an honour to have this opportunity to host this year’s Tour De Rock riders – it really made an impact on the residents,” says Linda MacDonald, Berwick’s Community Relations Manager. “The stops the riders make might be brief but they’re filled with an electrifying, contagious energy.”
Since 1997, Tour De Rock riders have made the demanding and emotional journey from Port Alice on the northern end of Vancouver Island all the way back down to Victoria. A long journey by car let alone by bicycle, the event raises funds to support children and families living with cancer by funding life-saving pediatric cancer research and care support programs like Camp Good Times.
This year’s Tour De Rock was especially close to MacDonald’s heart as her son, Rusty Olsen, was one of the riders. That personal connection gave her a unique perspective on what it takes to make Tour De Rock such a success every year.
“I don’t think many people fully understand how much time and energy these riders volunteer during Tour De Rock. It’s a commitment that starts a good six months before the event itself even happens,” MacDonald says.
Berwick and its founders Gordon and Chris Denford have always understood the value in giving back to the local communities their residents call home. Whether it’s donating and fundraising for the United Way, local hospice societies or food banks, Berwick is always looking for new opportunities to help their communities grow and thrive.
“Giving back to our local communities is something our residents and our founders themselves have always held near and dear to their hearts,” McDonald says. “When I brought up the idea of hosting Tour De Rock riders and fundraising for this year’s event everyone was eager to participate. Many of our residents themselves have been affected by cancer either directly or indirectly, which made the decision to participate in Tour De Rock an easy one.”
Berwick residents are already looking forward to next year’s Tour De Rock fundraiser, where they will be hosting riders at all seven locations across the Island. While the official numbers are still rolling in, Tour De Rock is currently at 96 per cent of this year’s fundraising goal of $1 million. Donations are still being accepted and can be made online here.
Find more information about Berwick House here or follow them on Instagram for an inside look at what Berwick has to offer. To book a tour of Berwick House, contact Linda McDonald at 250-853-5492 or book online here.
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