JOHNSTOWN, ON --(Marketwired - July 25, 2016) - Over 250 riders and crew will be cycling for six days, during their 600 km journey to Montréal in PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally in support of the Toronto PWA.
Assisted by a volunteer crew, riders left Toronto on the morning of Sunday, July 24, and will cycle from Queen's University in Kingston to Johnstown to end their 4 th day of cycling. The Bike Rally will arrive in Montréal the afternoon of Friday, July 29.
This year, the Bike Rally is expected to raise over $1 million for PWA. The largest AIDS fundraiser of its kind in Canada, the annual event has raised over $14 million over its 18-year history and has become the sustaining fundraiser for the Toronto agency. PWA is the largest direct support service provider for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada, providing such services as meal and food programs, treatment and therapy programs, and financial assistance.
Scotiabank returns as presenting sponsor of the Bike Rally for the 9 th year. Through its global philanthropic program, the Bank responds to local needs at a grassroots level to help build stronger communities.
"We believe in supporting our communities, which is why we are proud to be back as the presenting sponsor of the Friends For Life Bike Rally," said Martine Laviolette, District Vice President of the St. Lawrence District at Scotiabank. "We look forward to cheering on the riders on this special trip as they raise awareness and funds for Canadians living with HIV/AIDS."
Photo opportunities
Photo opportunities will be available throughout the day as riders and crew continue on their six-day cycling journey to Montréal.
When: Wednesday, July 27 Where: From Queen's University, Kingston to Johnstown Time: From 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Participants will be travelling east from Queen's University in Kingston to Johnstown with the following scheduled stops:
8:30 a.m. Depart - Queen's University (Near Leggett Hall), Kingston 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Break 1 - Gananoque Town Park, 30 King St. E, Gananoque 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch - Brown's Bay Park, 1000 Islands Pkwy, Mallorytown 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Break 2 - Armagh S. Price Park, end of Ferry Street, Brockville 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Camp - Grenville Park Campground, 2323 County Road 2, Johnstown
About PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally
PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally originated as a 6-day, 600 km bike ride from Toronto to Montréal. New for this year, the Bike Rally has added a 1-day, 108 km bike ride from Toronto to Port Hope. Now in its 18 th year, the Bike Rally is the sustaining fundraiser for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA) supporting its ability to provide critical services and support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto. To learn more, visit www.bikerally.org .
About the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA)
PWA is the largest direct support service agency of its kind for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. PWA engages people living with HIV/AIDS in enhancing their health and well-being through practical and therapeutic support services and broader social change, and inspires them to live into their dreams and discoveries. PWA aims to enhance awareness, resilience, strength and knowledge among the members of its immediate community and in the broader social world. To learn more, visit www.pwatoronto.org .
About Scotiabank
Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (
Media Contact: Allan Hooey Co-Chair Friends For Life Bike Rally 416-823-6125 cochairs@bikerally.org Todd Davies Co-Chair Friends For Life Bike Rally 416-525-3506 cochairs@bikerally.org Jeffrey Graham Media and Communications Friends For Life Bike Rally 647-965-0771 media@bikerally.org William Axelrod Media and Communications Friends For Life Bike Rally 647-500-1750 media@bikerally.org Murray Jose-Boerbridge Executive Director PWA 647-226-5777 mjose@pwatoronto.org Mike Twamley Director, Philanthropy and Communications PWA 416-895-9033 mtwamley@pwatoronto.org Erin Truax Public, Corporate and Government Affairs Scotiabank 416-471-5714 erin.truax@scotiabank.com
