Ride for Quality

The memory of her friend who died of cancer pushed Courtney Beerthuizen to ride as fast as she could for five minutes in support of Camp Quality.

The 15-year-old Grade 10 Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute student led her team of four in the Inside Ride National Tour fundraiser for Camp Quality. For five minutes, each team member rode a stationary bike as fast as possible in order to have the best distance.

Each team was required to raise money for the event.

Courtney said she was doing it for the memory of her friend Quinten Cambell, who died from cancer about four years ago at the age of 14.

“I knew someone who had cancer and went to Camp Quality and he died when he was in Grade 8,” Courtney said.

“He was supposed to be here at Westgate in Grade 11 this year so I’m doing this for him.
The children at Camp Quality only have a little while to live because of what they are going through and while they have the time to live they should live it to the fullest as much as they can.”

Courtney and her team raised about $220 for the charity.

Jenn Davies, program co-ordinator for the Inside Ride national tour with Coast-to-Coast Cancer Foundation, said they raised more than $7,000 from the event with all proceeds going to Camp Quality. About 14 teams participated in the event.

She said Westgate gave a lot of energy and was happy with how everything turned out.

“I think what they are going to find today is that they will have a light bulb moment,” Davies said. “This is about cancer awareness for childhood cancer charities across Canada. It is quite underfunded so our mandate is to make a difference with a 360-degree approach.

“We try to fund research, survivorship and support for parents.”

Davies said they would be packing up and heading to Winnipeg Tuesday night.