PWA's Friends For Life Bike Rally

PWA’s Friends For Life Bike Rally began as a 6-day, 600 km bike ride from Toronto to Montréal, founded in 1999 by a small group of individuals driven to do something to raise money to help friends suffering from the consequences of HIV/AIDS. Now in its 19th year, the Bike Rally has engaged over 3700 participants and is the sustaining fundraiser for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA). These passionate riders and crew have raised over $15 million dollars supporting PWA’s ability to provide critical services and support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto.

In 2016 in response to a growing demand from people wishing to experience the Bike Rally, PWA introduced a 1-day, 108 km bike ride from Toronto to Port Hope.

At 9:00am on Sunday, July 24, 2016, 299 riders and crew departed Toronto with excitement and anticipation of the hours and days ahead. People of all shapes and sizes, cycling abilities, strengths, and reasons participate every year. For some, it’s about the physical challenge. For many, it’s about giving back. For all, it’s about making a positive difference.

Below is a quote from a Rider taken from the 2016 Participant Survey:

“On bike pick-up day I walked my bike down Church St. to meet up with some friends for coffee and talk about my experience on the ride. We sat outside and since I did not have a bike lock we parked it alongside the bench where we sat. My bike still had the Bike Rally license plate affixed. A young man looked at my bike, came up to me, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me, can I ask you, did you do the ride this year?” And I said, “yes I did” and he replied, “I just want to say thank you for doing the ride.” I always feel odd when someone says that because I don't think thanks are needed so I said, “I love doing the ride.” Then he said, “I am a PWA client and because of you I have been able to continue on with 3 programs that the PWA provides me and I am doing so well. I hope to help next year with crewing.” And then he hugged me. Such sweetness. I have to tell you that fighting the tears I said to myself this is why I do the ride. YES. Good on me.”

While the Bike Rally is a at its core fundraising event and critical to PWA, we know that the impact is so much more.

Our goal this year was to depart Toronto with 280 Riders and 100 Crew and raise $1.2 million dollars. We didn’t meet our participant or fundraising goals but we’re incredibly proud of what we did achieve. The 201 Riders and 91 Crew, along with our presenting sponsor, Scotiabank, raised $1,025,000. It is through their efforts and the generous support of their friends and family, and sponsors that we were able to still break the $1-million dollar mark. One would think there would be disappointment with not achieving our fundraising goal, but it is quite the opposite. Every year we strive to build on the successes of the year before. The volunteers and staff commit to raising the bar and setting goals that showcase the collective strengths of everyone involved – including donors. Many factors contribute to the bottom line and as a team, we attempt to tackle those factors and overcome obstacles. Sometimes we are successful, and other times we fall short.

The funds are critical and without them PWA must make tough decisions to respond to the shortfall. Yet we also acknowledge that there are other just-as-important outcomes that come from the Bike Rally. The quote above is just on or thousands of examples of this.

Planning has already begun for the 19^th Rally in 2017. The Steering Committee has been selected and plans are well underway. We will learn from and build on our successes from this past year.

Links:

• Event Website
• Charity Website