Gran Fondo Lake Huron 2023 was an outstanding event for local mental health care in support of the new Wellness and Treatment Centre now under construction in Owen Sound, and that will serve all residents of Grey and Bruce counties.
More than 700 bike riders from across Ontario and beyond took part and fundraised an incredible $482,179, but the good news didn’t stop there.
James Scongack had to quickly erase the number as Mike Rencheck, President & CEO of Bruce Power quietly decided to top up the amount to make it an even $500,000!
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Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director, Tracy Murray, and organizer of the 3rd annual Gran Fondo, was emotional as she announced the grand total. “The entire new wing at the Centre will now bear the names of the Gran Fondo and its supporters. This is simply an amazing achievement!”
This year’s Gran Fondo also expanded from a one-day event to a weekend filled with activities for the young and young-at-heart that included a Kids’ Bike Ride on Saturday morning to a major concert event that same night for adults that featured the band 54.40.
There were several fundraisers in categories that included Individual, Corporate Teams and Top Fundraisers, who surpassed their goals and who were also recognized during the closing ceremony.
Individual:
1st – Mary Putman ($15,494)
2nd – Lois and Robert Metcalfe ($5,836)
3rd – Geordie Farrell (5,207)
Corporate Teams:
1st – Canadian Union of Steel Workers (CUSW) ($12,791)
2nd – Shawflex ($7,799)
3rd – Bruce Power Chargers ($5,185)
Top Fundraisers:
1st – Brady Bunch. ($38,152)
2nd – Mills Milers ($29,610)
3rd – Tour de Friends ($22,663)
Also among the fundraisers were the seven Co-operators Insurance agencies in Grey-Bruce. Peter Morgan of Co-operators Meaford explained that the seven agencies agreed to match fundraising dollars up to $50,000 and the result was that they donated more than $100,000.
“We are so proud to be a part of this event in support of mental health,” said Morgan.
In addition, there was a long list of those who raised funds and were known collectively as the ‘Jersey winners’, each receiving a Gran Fondo jersey for their fundraising efforts that totalled $105,000.
Last but not least were two bikers who were recognized as the youngest rider, Isabella Neary at age seven and the most-mature rider, Allan Murray at age (?).
The Chair of Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, Martha Bennett, thanked the many sponsors who came on board in support of the Gran Fondo. “Without the many sponsors, volunteers and you, the riders, this never would have happened. It is just amazing what has happened here this year.
Among our sponsors is, of course, Bruce Power, RBC, Shawflex, Society of United Professionals and E.S. Fox and so many others. We thank our 150 volunteers who have been everywhere and, on behalf of the Foundation, I want to say that giving is about making a difference. Your ride today was about saving lives.”
“This is an exceptional community,” said emcee, James Scongack, Sr. Vice-president of Bruce B, “when you realize that a community of approximately 16,000 raised three million dollars in only 10 months to have a state-of-the-art CT scanner in the local hospital. That’s $10,000 per day over 30 days!
Then, under Tracy Murray’s leadership, the community embarked on the Gran Fondo only three years ago and has raised $1.3 Million for local health care. Absolutely amazing! This is a great place to live, work and play.”
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