A young Halifax man and cancer survivor is heading out on a Maritime bike tour this summer in memory and honour of Becca Schofield, a Riverview, N.B. teen who died from cancer last year.
Jason Thorpe, originally from Quispamsis, says he also hopes to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House, a place that served as a home to both their families.
He says the two shared a similar journey.
“Becca and I both used the Ronald McDonald house in our times of need. When I was nine years old I was diagnosed with leukemia. My family relied on the Ronald McDonald house heavily while I was in the IWK,” he said.
Thorpe says he hopes to raise $20,000 for the facility.
“It’s definitely a big goal. Since opening up the fundraising page and even to the public that this event is taking place last Wednesday, we’ve raised approximately $3,500 to date, so it’s off to a great start,” he said.
Thorpe says he’s been planning this trek with help from Becca’s mom Anne Schofield back in the fall of last year.
“It is kind of surreal,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been planning for a very long time, but now that its public it’s really hitting hard, and the feedback has been significant.”
Thorpe says the ride is going to be a big task, both physically and mentally.
“It is a big task and its going to be drawing back on a lot of memories… remembering those I’ve met along the way to kind of push me to the next stage in the tour, but we’re looking forward to it and we’re excited to get going,” he said.
Thorpe starts his 1,700 kilometre journey on August 18th. He will be starting in Nova Scotia, going up to PEI, across to New Brunswick, and then ending at the Ronald McDonald House in Halifax. He will be making a stop in the Saint John area mid-way through the tour.
The donation link can be found on the Ronald McDonald House Atlantic’s Facebook page, where live updates during the trip will also be posted.
