Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald
Catholic Family Services (CFS) of Prince Albert announced the launch of their third annual Ride for Refuge event on Wednesday. The event will be taking place on Oct. 5 with bikers, walkers, volunteers and donors aiming to raise more than $51,000 to support mental health programs offered by Catholic Family Services for the people in Prince Albert.
As part of the event, 25 biking teams will be created. So far almost $17 000 has been raised.
“The event itself is a fun family friendly event not a competition,” Ride for Refuge Event Director Margaret Duncombe said. “It’s for families and people who would want to come out and either bike the road or trail. They can go 10 km or bike around or walk for 2.5 km or 5 km, then we all come back and have a barbecue.”
This is the largest fundraising event for the Catholic Family Service. It began two years ago and Duncombe said they’ve been pleased with the community response.
“We had hoped that when we did this event in the first year it would become a signature event and it has,” she said. “We are thrilled and we hope to run this event every year on an ongoing basis because its been wonderful for us.”
The CFS has counselling and educational services in addition to addressing mental issues. Duncombe said the mental health aspect is critically important.
“Many people have dealt with trauma in their lives, or with issues that are hard to handle on their own,” she explained. “You need someone to talk to. Our counsellors are trained to give that kind of professional support to people.”
Councillor Don Cody will serve as the Honourary Chairperson for Ride for Refugee, while George Marshall was announced as the new Executive Director.
Honorary Chair, Don Cody accepts his appointment during the launch of the third annual Ride for Refuge on Wednesday.
Duncombe said they were looking for an honourary chair who cares about and has contributed to the community. She said picking Cody was an easy decision because he would make a great spokesman.
Cody said he was eager to help support the CFS’ efforts to improve mental health.
“It is a bit of a pleasure to have been given this honour to be the Honourary Board Chair of CFSPA,” Cody said following the announcement. “I will do whatever I can to help out. CFSPA has been doing tremendous job in our community.”
Marshall said he was also happy to be a part of the organization. He said the CFS is doing everything it can to make a difference.
“I am very honoured to be part of an organization with a vision and a mission to make this kind of impact in Prince Albert,” he said.
