How it started
François-Xavier wanted to do something in honour of his father, who has been affected by a brain disorder. He brought the idea to his friends, including Thomas, who was immediately on board. Thomas’ grandmother has dementia, and over the past few years, he's watched her slip further away.
“There are moments that touch me deeply, like when she recognizes me and starts to cry at the sight of me. It's beautiful to feel that our bond is still there, but also hard to realize how precious those moments have become.”
– Thomas Bérubé
Thomas and François-Xavier brought the idea to their friend Maxime Paradis, and together the three planned the route, picked a date, and set up a fundraising page.
The long journey
Cycling 126 kilometers is a demanding distance to cover in one day, and by the final stretch, Thomas, François-Xavier, and their friend, Sammy Parent, were running on empty.
“We were sore all over and completely exhausted, but during the final kilometres, I thought a lot about the reasons why we were doing all of this,” explains Thomas. “In some small way, we hope to help others dealing with brain conditions.”
When they reached the finish, a few dozen friends and family were waiting for them, including Maxime, who had been there since the start of the day even though he wasn't riding. After hours alone on the road, having people there to greet them meant a great deal.
Support Reached Beyond Their Circle
The response to the ride wasn't limited to the people who showed up in person. Online, posts about the event were shared and commented on by people in the area, many they had never met. Some donated simply because the cause meant something to them as well.
“We realized that even though our first event was small in size, we still managed to reach and connect with so many people who are touched by a brain disease or disorder. After a long ride, seeing our friends, family and even strangers supporting us was really special.”
– Thomas Bérubé
The first Ride for Brains fundraiser has now raised $2,600 to date for brain research through Brain Canada.
