What happens when you add about 300 bikers, 30 police officers…

…plus local political leadership representation, and a community volunteers committed to kids from Lansdowne?

You get love, fundraising and good will that show we all care for the kids being treated at Lansdowne Children’s Centre.

Saturday, at the Civic Centre, everyone gathered together, and you could feel the buzz even over the roar of the motorcycles! They lined up row after row, inhaled the donated Strodes bacon on a bun breakfast and handed in their registration forms.

Corporate contributions covered the costs of the event, Culligan gave everyone water, the volunteers greeted with delight…

and local star Steven Branchaud performed from the stage.

Over $62,000 net was raised bringing the total over the more than two decades of the two events Bob Caissie plans annually: The Great Northern Ride and the Motorcycle Fundraiser to in excess of $3,000,000 to this worthy organization.

Bob Caissie and Lansdowne Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley

Primarily, it covers recreational opportunities for the clients of Lansdowne which is not covered by program funding.

One family the Ostermeier/Ludwig group came in matching t-shirts to honour their relative Thomas, a delightful client of Lansdowne, and raised over $3000 on his behalf.

Another gentleman, George Leven commits to encourage everyone he meets over the year to support Lansdowne’s reputation and his own family connection to the institution. This year he outdid his own record and raised over $12,675.

They came from near and away:

One group was three generations of young Brantford women led by Grandma Sylvia who is a regular attendee;

One couple of women, from the Hamilton Chapter of the Southern Cruisers, Wendy and Lorna were first time riders and absolutely loved the day. They saw this as a village caring for their children.

Chris, Yolanda and Les are newbies, and Yolanda reminded her buds not to forget she was the ‘Britches on the Back’ as they fly around the bends of the road.

Roger, a retired Brantford Police officer and current BPS Fleet Manager and his friend Tom, both now Blue Knight Riders along with Roger’s wife Bonnie, a retired civilian of the Brantford Police Services, plan to be part of this event each year.

Laurier Special Constables Niki and Furquan joined forces with Batman to keep everyone safe.

A relatively new Motor Cycle Club from Six Nations joined for the first time to support the efforts of Lansdowne.

And of course, an annual favourite is Jay with his ‘Lab in the Cab’, Walt, barking for the kids…Walt, that is…Jay doesn’t bark…

If you go to the Facebook page 4BRANT, you will find TWO albums: Gallery 1 is Riders passing the kids waving at the Lansdowne Centre on Mt. Pleasant; Gallery 2 is as the riders return after the ride to the Civic Centre. There are hundreds of pictures taken of the bikers enroute and returning for lunch. Please feel free to check it out copy for your own use and share with others. (Publisher@4brant.com)