Photo Courtesy Wilf Marquis

By Tanner Smith

Fundraiser

Local cyclist raising money for kids with cancer throughout August

Jul 27, 2023 | 2:33 PM

A local cyclist is looking to once again raise over $1,500 for Kids with Cancer throughout the month of August.

Wilf Marquis is taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge again, trying to ride 1,500 kilometres in August after first getting into cycling as a hobby in 2020.

“(It) started out as a thing to keep me busy during COVID. That kind of progressed from just normal cycling events with no racing and stuff like that, to evolving to starting to race, and then this year it’s just been strictly racing, and then being able to tie in something that I’m passionate about and that I’m very into and then being able to tie that into helping kids with cancer. (has been really great.)”

Photo Courtesy Wilf Marquis

Marquis adds it is tough to do, with his training starting every year in January and trying to balance that with work, being a dad, and his personal life. But local residents, businesses, and the kids he’s riding for, are all the motivation he needs.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“It’s nice to know Grande Prairie and the people here, they’re very supportive of the people of Grande Prairie, even if you’re not from here originally. So it’s nice to see a small community kind of come together, and all these people with local businesses that they started from the ground up that like to give back to other people doing good things in the community.”

Marquis says he is also keeping his options open for other fundraising opportunities with local Grande Prairie charities down the road, to extend his fundraiser season longer than just one month.

Photo Courtesy Wilf Marquis

Marquis is set to start his 1,500-kilometre journey this weekend, July 28 to 30, at a race in Calgary.

“This year it’s kind of the same, going to head down to Calgary here at the end of the month, going to race, and at the same time I will just be starting my 1500 kilometres for the month of August raising money again for Kids with Cancer, and just kind of raise awareness.”

He added, other cyclists in Grande Prairie are also participating in the Great Cycle Challenge this year, and asks drivers to be mindful of cyclists on the roadway, as they might be riding for a cause of their own.

Donations to Marquis’s cause have already started flowing in. If you wish to donate or would like more information about his fundraiser, click here.

Photo Courtesy Wilf Marquis