Some people will go to great lengths to support a cause they believe in. For Victor Quijada-Sawitsky, that length will be 110 kilometers on a bicycle.
June 3, the Saskatchewan Corrections Charity Bike Riders will mount up in Prince Albert to raise money for the Children's Hospital Foundation in Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan Corrections Charity Bike Riders are corrections officers, employees of the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, and invited guests who aren't afraid of putting in a solid day of cycling to support charitable organizations in the province.
Quijada-Sawitsky is the only corrections officer from the Battlefords who will be participating in this year's event, and he hopes the Battlefords will step up with donations.
"I think it's a good cause," said Quijada-Sawitsky, who also participated last year.
This is the 7th year the annual event has been held in Prince Albert, and the first year the bike ride will also be held in Regina (June 10) and Saskatoon (June 17).
Last year, $16,000 was raised for the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, while Quijada-Sawitsky, again the only rider from the Battlefords, raised $500 for the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre.
Besides corrections officers, family and friends also participate in the event, whether they cycle for the entire journey, or just a leg of the journey, or even volunteer at one of the rest stops. Quijada-Sawitsky's wife, Kanndece, will be joining him this year.
"It's not a competitive environment," said Quijada-Sawitsky. "It's very casual."
He explained the ride takes around eight hours to complete, including a lunch break and several rest stops along the way.
Quijada-Sawitsky invited News-Optimist reporter Tara Scaglione to participate in this year's ride, and she will also be collecting pledges, on behalf of Quijada-Sawitsky, at the News-Optimist office.
Tax receipts are available for any donations of $20 and greater.
For more information about the Saskatchewan Corrections Charity Bike Riders, people can contact Jerry Jarvis at (306) 953-3000.
