It was a unique year for the 31st Annual Ride For Stars, but riders and organizers soldiered on and raised almost $30,000, and counting.
The traditional Rumsey Ride had to be cancelled this year due to COVID-19, however, organizers and riders blazed their own trail and along the way, raised significant funds for the important air ambulance service.
“With everything going on, we raised $29,241, and we have more pledges coming in,” said Richmond at the online Rumsey Ride aftershow. “We want to thank everybody that helped pledge, with all the trying times going on in 2020 you did our heart good.”
Riders took on their own rides and collected pledges, and the new format was a success with riders alone raising about $15,000. Some of the top fundraisers included Lynn Tanner, who raised $8,385, Reja Jones raised $2,033 and Ernie Goddard raised almost $4,100.
On top of the riders’ pledges, there were a number of exciting fundraising efforts, including an online auction that raised $2,122. The annual quilt and prize raffle raised $2,740.
One highlight this year was “Rob’s Walk to the Bar.” Member of the organizing committee Rob Richmond walked 31 kilometres from Big Valley to the TL Bar Ranch. Along the way, he visited with neighbours and collected pledges. His sore feet earned him $9,270.
