Take a ride on the Mighty Bike

"People cheering, music blaring and a load of fun" is how Ida Giannelli, employment assistant in Concordia's Department of Human Resources (HR), describes the ride on the Mighty Bike.

An integral part of the Pedal for Kids fundraising campaign for the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Mighty Bike is a custom-made bicycle built for 30 riders.

During the week of June 11, local businesses ride the steel bike through the streets of downtown Montreal while raising funds for the hospital. Concordia has secured the Mighty Bike on Tuesday, June 12 at 10 a.m. for the ride.

This is Giannelli's fourth year coordinating the event, and this year she is looking at building a team of volunteers representing numerous Faculties and departments from Concordia University.

“Not only do we raise money for a very worthy cause, but we have a great time doing it,” she beams.

Initially she began fundraising on behalf of HR. Then last year, the John Molson School of Business partnered with HR to raise more than $13,000. This year's goal is two-fold: raise $40,000 and become one of the top teams featured on the Pedal.com website.

“In order to achieve our goal, we will need volunteers to mobilize their departments and come up with innovative ways to raise cash. We are looking for some friendly competition,” says Giannelli.

Previous efforts included bake sales, raffles and soliciting friends and family to sponsor the ride on the Mighty Bike. There are 30 spaces on the bike, so volunteers will have to be creative in their fundraising efforts, as priority will be given to people who have contributed the most funds.

Any Concordia faculty member, manager or staff who would like to represent a team is asked to contact Giannelli at ida.giannelli@concordia.ca by April 28, 2012.  A kick-off meeting will be planned in early May.

On June 14, 2011, a group of Concordians from the John Molson School of Business and the Department of Human Resources rode the Mighty Bike — a custom-made steel-framed bicycle that accommodates 30 cyclists, an MC and a sound system — for 45 minutes through downtown Montreal:

About the event
This year marks the 21st anniversary of Pedal for Kids, which has grown into one of The Children’s most important fundraising activities, raising more than $9 million since 1992. The hope is to surpass the $10 million mark by the end of the campaign.

Last year, proceeds from the campaign funded research into childhood diseases, helped families in need cope with the financial burden of a child’s illness, and purchased a lifesaving piece of equipment for the hospital’s emergency department.

This year’s spokesperson, 14-year-old Cédrik, has seen the impact of Pedal for Kids first-hand on the oncology ward at The Children’s.  Read his inspirational story (see link below).

This year the event is particularly exciting, as funds raised will be used to complete the million-dollar pledge towards The Best Care for Children Campaign for the new hospital that is taking shape amid the  the crowd of cranes that can be seen from almost every corner of the city.

Related links:
•    Pedal.com  
•    Meet Cédrik