Shown, clockwise from left, riders' bikes are lined up along 22nd Street outside the Legion Hall in Battleford before the event, Original 9 Riding Association President Bill Bishop, and ride participant Kat Murray from Meadow Lake. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

2022 fundraiser rally

Annual ‘Ride for a Vet’ charity event brings out supporters

Jul 9, 2022 | 4:04 PM

Bikers from across the North West region came out to ride and donate for the cause during the annual “Ride for a Vet” rally Saturday.

The event kicked off with a breakfast hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #9 in Battleford.

Legion President Esther Delainey noted the ride is a good way to honour Canada’s veterans.

“It is very important to show support for the veterans”, she said. “We need to be able to support them if they need it.”

POLICING

Search underway after reported assault, vehicle with stolen plates flees North Battleford mall

12h ago

Women for Wishes Campaign

Cando's Hirschfeld family raising money in honour of deceased Steven

13h ago

Whiterock Basketball Academy

Local basketball players take talent to the big stage at NABI tournament in Arizona

13h ago

About 55 participants registered for the motorcycle rally that travelled from Battleford to Unity, Biggar, and Langham, before wrapping up with a meal at the Radisson Arena.

Kat Murray from Meadow Lake, signed up for the ride, along with her boyfriend.

“It’s a great cause to ride for. And there is nothing better than being on a bike; it’s just beautiful,” she said.

Murray also wanted to do what she can to help veterans.

“My grandpa was a veteran, so I support them 100 per cent. He served in the Korean War.”

Shown, clockwise from bottom left, Legion volunteers serve up breakfast, the Legion’s veterans’ photographs, and Ride for a Vet participant Richard Bonnett of the Original 9 Riding Association. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

Richard Bonnett, from the Battlefords, has taken part in the Ride For A Vet 12 times.

He said he enjoys the rally fundraiser to support veterans, and get to know other riders at the same time.

“You meet old friends, and you make new ones; it’s fun.”

During this year’s event, Bonnett said he will be remembering one of the Original 9 Riding Association Inc.’s former member-riders, Dwight McIvor, who passed away in May after battling cancer.

Based in the Battlefords, the Original 9 Riding Association Inc., organizes the Ride For A Vet fundraiser each year. The group that started in 2006 is now called the Original 9 Riders. The club was formed by nine motorcycle riding enthusiasts to raise money for veterans’ causes.

President Bill Bishop said the board still needs to decide what charity the funds donated from the ride this year will benefit. The association’s fundraisers have supported many causes and charities since it was formed.

“Over the years we have spent over $100,000 on grave markers in conjunction with the North Battleford Legion,” Bishop said.

People came to take part in this year’s ride from across the central area as well as from Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan.

Bishop mentioned in the past the group helped purchase three service dogs for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as raising funds for other projects.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can do so through the website at: RideForAVet.ca.

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW