If you’ve got a good thing going, you don’t want to have to skip a year.
The annual Tour de Guelph fundraiser will be happening again this summer, albeit in a much different form.
The Tour de Guelph is a popular event held every June that raises money for Guelph General Hospital along with programs supported by a pair of Guelph Rotary Clubs: Guelph South and Guelph Trillium.
In its first six years the event has netted $450,000. Last year’s event, with 750 people taking part, brought in $125,000.
This year’s goal was and is $140,000.
“We’ve decided we’re not going to cancel it outright. We do believe it’s important for the event to continue on,” said Elizabeth Stewart of the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital.
“This is the seventh year and we believe it’s become an important event that brings the community out together and also in fundraising” for both the hospital and the Rotary Clubs involved.
Traditionally the event happens one day on the fourth Sunday in June. But this year participants are being asked to register and then go on a solo bike ride, a bike ride with those you are isolating with or a physically distanced bike ride on one of the routes on the event web site or a route of your choosing sometime between June 28 and July 26.
Registration is online, with participants being asked to donate or raise a minimum of $25.
The traditional registration fee is being waived.
Stewart said that participants are being asked to take a photo while out on their fundraising bike ride and submit it to the Tour de Guelph website. Those photos will be compiled and posted in an online photo albumn GuelphToday.com.
“The event is really important in the support it gives the community and the number of people that it helps,” Stewart said.
"It's still a way to encourage people to get out and do something active and fun for their communities. We know there's a lot of people that want to help."
There are a number of programs helped through Rotary, including local women’s shelters, and the funds that go to Guelph General Hospital needs that aren't necessarily related to COVID-19.
Stewart said that it’s important to remember that the hospital still has other needs in addition to those specific to the pandemic.
