NEWS RELEASE
FOUNDATION OF GUELPH GENERAL HOSPITAL
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On Sunday, June 26, Tour de Guelph, presented by Label Design Ltd, returned to an in-person group ride at the University of Guelph. After two years of virtual events, the community-cycling event, jointly organized by local Rotary Clubs and The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, welcomed hundreds of riders for a safe and fun ride raising $134,000 in net proceeds.
“It was fantastic to see community members of all ages and skill levels come together once again to support Guelph General Hospital and other local charitable programs through Rotary” exclaimed Julie Byczynski, CEO of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital. “Seeing so many smiling faces at the starting line – and finishing line -- really showed us that this community missed the feeling that comes with a group ride like this,” added Byczynski.
2019 was the last time the event was able to be held in person. That year, 750 riders raised $125,000 in net proceeds.
This year, 501 riders participated in Tour de Guelph. The event offered the option to Ride Anytime from June 10th until June 26th and the option to attend the in-person group ride on June 26th.
“Thank you to the 418 in person and 83 Ride Anytime riders, plus the 1,494 people who sponsored them,” commented Frank Oudesluys, Tour de Guelph Co-Chair, Rotary Club of Guelph South. “Their commitment will help Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium address critical community needs such as food security, family and youth services, transitional supports, and environmental stewardship through local charitable programs”.
Tour de Guelph has now raised over $850,000 in net proceeds for the community over its nine years. For the Hospital, it has funded or helped fund IV pumps, a centralized cardiac monitoring system, two non-invasive respiratory ventilators, a CT scanner, and a MRI scanner. This year, the Hospital’s share of the proceeds will go towards purchasing three new ultrasound machines.
Marianne Walker, Guelph General Hospital’s President & CEO stated that on-going community support of the hospital is so welcomed “Donations and fundraising events like Tour de Guelph provide the funds we need to purchase critical patient care equipment used by our healthcare team. The new ultrasound machines will be faster, more reliable and produce better images.”
Tour de Guelph Co-Chair and Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium member, Clarence Haverson expressed, “We want to thank the amazing riders, sponsors, volunteers, in-kind contributors, donors and everyone who made Tour de Guelph 2022 possible. Tour de Guelph makes our community a better place to live, work, and play.”
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