Sunshine greeted participants in Saturday’s Northern BC Motorcycle Ride For Dad. Photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – The 2016 Northern BC Motorcycle Ride For Dad has raised close to $9,000 in pledges alone, money which will be added to and which will remain in Prince George to battle prostate cancer and increase awareness of the disease.

One hundred bikes and 104 riders took part in Saturday’s ride, which travelled from the Kinsmen Centre, up Foothills to the Hart, down Highway 97 to PG Pulpmill Road, over the Cameron Street Bridge to 1^st Avenue then down Victoria to 20^th, Massey, Westwood, Vance, Tyner, down Ospika and back to the Kinsmen Centre.  The ride, enjoyed under a brilliant, sunny sky, took about an hour to complete.

Organizer Charles Brunette says turnout “was greater than last year, we had an additional 19 riders over last year.  The top fundraiser raised over $1,500 and the rider who travelled the farthest came from Maple Ridge.   Money-wise it looks like we’re going to be coming in on par with last year’s numbers” when $21,000 in total was raised.

Brunette says “then at that point we split that money between research and awareness, and in the last five years we’ve raised $71,600 for prostate cancer research alone, here in Prince George.  So we’re hoping to add to that, maybe go up to over $80,000.”

This year pledges raised $8,550, but the overall total will climb when money from souvenir sales, 50/50 draw and the silent auction is tallied in the next few days.  Saturday’s Ride for Dad also included a 2-hour poker run and lunch for the participants.

Brunette’s closing message?  “Remind men to go out and get checked for prostate cancer, it’s really important.  Early detection is key.”