ESTEVAN - Motorcycle riders in southeast Saskatchewan once again came together for a worthy cause Sunday during the 25th annual Ride for Ronald McDonald House.
Participants gathered at the Estevan McDonald's for registration and socializing, and then they embarked on the ride. They ventured up to Lampman, Arcola and Stoughton, where they enjoyed a beef on a bun supper at the Crossroads Inn. Then they returned home.
A total of 86 riders participated in the event, raising approximately $7,500 for the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Saskatoon.
Pam Currie and her husband Paul have been involved with the event since its inception in 1999. It was initially organized by the Retreads, which was a local motorcycle group. Then it was run by the Prairie Riders and eventually the Prairie Winds, which was a women's motorcycle club. There hasn't been an organization looking after the event in recent years.
Speaking to the crowd before they embarked on their journey, Pam Currie said it has been 25 wonderful years of getting together and riding while supporting the RMH. In the first 24 editions of the event, they raised roughly $80,000.
"We're going to add to that this year," said Pam Currie.
The first ride was on Sept. 12, 1999. They approached local businesses and asked them to support the ride. Local companies have always been eager to provide a donation.
Currie acknowledged the sponsors and those who have always supported the event, and she thanked everybody who rode on Sunday.
This year also marked the final year that the Curries will organize the ride. They continue to look for somebody to step forward to take on the event, and Currie said they have spoken with some people who are interested.
"We thought 25 years was a really good time to go out. It's a great celebration of the time that we've spent with everybody riding with us," said Pam Currie.
The Curries moved to Esterhazy in 2017 but remained the organizers.
Paul Currie noted that the Retreads wanted to do something for the community when they first had discussions. They talked about various charities, and Paul pointed out that families who have a child or children in the hospital have so many things to worry about. The Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon helps those people.
"I said 'Well, there's this McDonald's House that I hear about', and I said 'Maybe that would be a good place for us to … donate our money, your money," he said.
Ronald McDonald House was selected, and the interaction with the ride's organizers and the beneficiary has been great.
"Thank you, guys. It was fun," said Paul.
