With the majority of students on summer vacation until September, you might assume there isn’t a lot happening on campus but for those spending their summer with Durham College the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s annual Big Bike Ride event was a great opportunity to show their campus pride and support a great cause and the community.

The team, comprised of faculty, students and staff from both Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), took part in the ride in north Oshawa in June with 28 team members climbing onto a one-of-a-kind bicycle built for 30. Riding through the local streets they took every opportunity to tell residents outside on their porches, waiting for buses or walking home from school what they were doing by chanting, “We’re pedaling for Heart and Stroke”.

“The participation and partnerships of various community groups supporting Heart and Stroke is essential to our success in meeting our mission,” said Diana MacDonald, corporate accounts fundraiser, Heart and Stroke Foundation. “It is the passion of our Big Bike captains who call out to their peers, friends and family to pull together a team that drives the success of this signature event for Heart and Stroke. We are very grateful for every rider that steps up, for every donor that helps support those riders and for companies that so generously allow their employees the time to participate.”

Big Bike rides take place all over Ontario from April to October each year with team members encouraged to set and reach a fundraising goal through individual and team efforts.

The joint Durham College and UOIT team raised a grand total of $3,210, which was $660 more than the previous year.

“It was a really amazing way to spend a Monday afternoon,” said Alanna Sloan, a Durham College summer placement student. “I got to meet new people and it’s nice to know that the money we raised is going to a great cause.”

Team members showed sincere enthusiasm throughout the entire ride, excitedly shaking noisemakers, cheering for the cause and doing their share of the pedaling with many agreeing that the 20-minute ride was far too short.

“We all had fun on the Big Bike,” said Kevin Dougherty, professor, School of Business, IT & Management. “I congratulate all the riders and fundraisers. The event really showed the co-operative and caring nature of our campus community.”