Legendary Sikh Riders welcomed on fundraising tour

By Sam Odrowski

The sound of motorcycles filled the streets of Mono as the Legendary Sikh Riders, who travelled there from British Columbia, joined the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario and Mandeep Singh Cheema Charitable Foundation for an evening fundraiser last on July 30.

The Legendary Sikh Riders, which is a motorcycle group based out of B.C., have been on a cross-Canada ride, starting in Victoria, B.C. and ending in Newfoundland, since mid-July to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation Canada.

The July 30 event in Mono managed to raise $5,100 for the Ontario Chapter of the foundation and that money will directly support granting the wishes of children who are terminally ill across the province.

“We were able to make some wishes come true for the Ontario kids,” said Navdeep Gill, who helped organize the event and covered the cost of it with the help of her husband.

Gill noted it was a collaborative effort between the Mandeep Singh Cheema Charitable Foundation and the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario.

Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown, Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson, Brampton Mayor

Patrick Brown, Dufferin–Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones and four other MPPs from Brampton were among the many dignitaries in attendance of the fundraising event. They enjoyed a dinner with the riders from the two Sikh motorcycle groups.

The ceremony started with drumming from Dholi Kaur, a young Sikh woman who is quite popular in the Brampton community for her talented drumming performances, according to Gill.

She also noted that she sang a welcome song for the Legendary Sikh Riders, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

“We put so much personal effort to make them [the Legendary Sikh Riders] feel that even though you are away from home, we want to give you a taste of home for one day on your ride,” Gill explained.

In each province visited by the Riders they did stops where they fundraised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“I have no words to express how well it was embraced by everybody and how well it went,” she enthused.

Gill told the Citizen all COVID-19 protocols were adhered to and she's extremely grateful that the event generated over $5,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

With many of the Legendary Sikh Riders being older, above 65, with grandkids of their own, Gill said the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other organizations that support children have a special place in their heart.

To donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in support of the Legendary Sikh Riders Cross Canada journey, visit: makeawishca.donordrive.com/campaign/Ride-Across-Canada and click the donate button.