Bonnie Bagnulo is excited about this year’s Healing Cycle ride for palliative care and is encouraging as many people as possible to come out to the main ride on Saturday.

The 10-kilometre ride will start at the former hospital in Old Town at noon and head up the Niagara Parkway for five kilometres before heading back.

Bagnulo, executive director of Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care Service, said this year there are several new participants in the Healing Cycle, but it’s been harder to collect donations.

“People are not in the same position as they were last year financially,” she said.

“We have quite a few new followers because the ride has changed due to COVID this year. Anyone can ride with us,” she added.

Typically the run happens out of town, with other palliative care providers around Ontario.

This year will be the eighth year NOTL Palliative Care has participated. In that time, the team has raised over $90,000 for palliative care in NOTL.

NOTL resident Tim Taylor (also known as Santa and a Lake Report journalist) is one of the major sponsors this year, having already raised more than $4,000 riding around town.

“He raises funds all over NOTL and surrounding areas for palliative care. He is truly the essence of a ‘gift,’ ” said Bagnulo.

There are two ways people can support the ride – either by sponsoring the Pedal Pushers team, or by sponsoring an individual rider, she said.

More information on how to donate can be found at www.thehealingcycle.ca.

Bagnulo also said anyone wishing to donate by cheque can do so at the ride Saturday, or she’ll pick it up. 

She can be contacted by email at notlpc@bellnet.ca or by phone at 905-468-4433.

Since 1986, Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care Service has helped area residents cope with serious life-limiting illness, death and bereavement.

In 2019, the not-for-profit organization served more than 160 clients with nearly 1,800 volunteer visits.

More information about NOTL Palliative Care can be found at www.notlpc.com.