Cycling 4 Water: Cyclists ride across Canada to raise money for clean water
Millions of people in the world don’t have access to safe water or sanitation. A group of four friends from British Columbia are determined to ‘break that cycle’ by cycling across Canada.
The four-man team of cyclists is riding nearly 10,000 km to help raise funds to provide clean drinking water in Africa.
The group of four friends began their journey on July 25th.
Rob Montgomery, an avid cyclist pitched the idea to his friend Mike Woodard years ago after he began cycling himself.
“I said ‘Rob if we do this, we have to do it for a cause because I think you want to do it for fun, and I can’t imagine that,” recalls Woodard.
Montgomery told CTV News that they wanted to focus on the need for water in third-world counties.
"The statistic is that there are almost 800 million people in the world without clean drinking water. Every 90 seconds a child dies from water-borne disease and that’s 1,000 a day so that’s what motivated us,” says Montgomery.
The group decided to partner with a Global Aid Network in Africa, which drills drinking wells. According to Montgomery, each well costs $8,500, which serves 1,000 people.
“Clean water transforms villages, first of all, it saves people's lives, secondly it changes the whole dynamic of the village,” said Woodard.
“We’re all fathers and grandfathers and it would break our hearts to see our grandchildren or children die because they didn’t have access to clean water.”
As of Friday afternoon they’ve raised $292,378. Woodard says with the number of funds they’ve received so far they are on their way to providing almost 50 wells.
Their goal is to raise enough money to provide 65 freshwater wells.
“We're thrilled to think as a result of this ride there will be at least 50 villages that get clean water and a deep kept well.”
Due to COVID-19 regulations, they weren’t able to start in their planned starting spot of Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T, so they began in Dawson City, Yukon.
They are hoping to arrive at their final destination in Halifax by the end of Saturday.
You can donate to Cycling 4 Water on their website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.