Fundraising goal nearly met for 2023 Velocity Ride in Support of Caledon Seniors

June 14, 2023 · 0 Comments

By Zachary Roman

This year’s Velocity ride is gearing up to be a success.

As of press time, over $62,000 has been raised by residents and businesses who are supporting this year’s Caledon Community Services (CCS) Velocity Ride in Support of Caledon Seniors.

Each year on Caledon Day, the ride begins at Caledon’s town hall in Caledon East. With Caledon Day being June 17 this year, the Velocity Ride is just days away.

Those interested are able to register right up until the ride; all they have to do is show up with their bike and a minimum donation of $50 for adults, $30 for youth ages 12 to 17, and children ages 11 and under are free with a registered adult over 18.

This year marks Velocity’s fifth anniversary, and the event has grown over the years. In 2022, $58,000 was raised which beat that year’s goal of $50,000 handily.

In 2022, team Ted’s Terra Cotta Trailblazers was the top Velocity fundraising team and they are currently on track to be the top fundraisers for 2023 as well as they’ve raised over $2,600. In second place is the Caledon Cycling Club team which has raised nearly $1,400 so far, and in third is team Mayfield United Church, which has raised almost $1,200 so far.

Ted Webb, who is now 90, is the team captain of the Trailblazers and he said what he enjoys most about Velocity is seeing families come out to ride together — something he doesn’t normally see on his usual cycling tours of Caledon.

Anne Marie Hayes, a member of Webb’s team, said she loves fundraising through Velocity because every dollar raised helps seniors age in place and supports CCS’ many programs and services for them. She said whether you are a senior, love a senior, or just care about the Caledon community, coming out to ride on June 17 is a great way to show support.

In terms of individual fundraisers, there are many Caledon residents putting in amazing efforts. The top fundraiser so far is Gordon Morton, who has raised over $1,200. In second place is Ian Armstrong who is nearing the $1,200 mark. Rounding out the top three individual fundraisers is former Mayor Allan Thompson, who is fundraising for the event alongside his wife Anne.

Check in for this year’s Velocity Ride is at 7:30 a.m. at 6311 Old Church Road. The 100 kilometre ride begins at 8:30 a.m., the 50 kilometre ride begins at 9:30 a.m., the 25 kilometre ride begins at 10 a.m. and the 10 kilometre ride begins at 10:30 a.m.

Participants are asked to check in 15 minutes before their ride begins. After the ride, at 11:30 a.m., there will be lunch and ice cream for all in attendance, in addition to some prizes and a raffle draw.

One notable prize that was recently announced is a Nakamura Ecko bike, and all those registered in this year’s Velocity event are automatically registered to have a chance to win it.