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Local principal once again set to tackle 100km Healing Cycle

May 25, 2017   ·   0 Comments

Local elementary school principal Dan LaCute is a man on a mission as he prepares for one of the rides of his life next month, participating in the 13th annual Healing Cycle bike ride to benefit Hospice Dufferin.

Taking place in Brampton on June 11, the fundraiser will feature participants from across the province as they seek to raise funds for their local hospice chapter. Right here in Orangeville, Mr. LaCute has been one of Hospice Dufferin’s most active members since he started volunteering with the organization in 2012, and he’s certainly been busy thus far in his efforts for the upcoming ride – currently sitting atop the provincial fundraising charts with $3,666 collected as of press time.

Speaking to the Citizen prior to the long weekend, Mr. LaCute expressed his delight in revealing his current fundraising total, stating all the money he raises would stay in the community and go towards supporting the “wonderful” programs and services on offer at Hospice Dufferin.

“Hospice Dufferin is one of those organizations where you don’t truly know or appreciate what they do until you have to use their services, but what I can say is that, to those that make use of its services, Hospice Dufferin is absolutely vital to our community, it’s huge,” Mr. LaCute said. “We have over 400 clients and families that we support each and every year, so it’s important for us to participate in fundraisers like this so that we can continue to help those in our region that truly need it.”

Hospice Dufferin is responsible for raising 70 percent of its annual budget each year, with the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) providing the rest. For that reason, it’s imperative for the organization to come up with creative ways to raise funds.

Since “falling in love” with cycling several years ago, Mr. LaCute said the annual Healing Cycle is always near the top of his list when he plans his volunteering and fundraising efforts each year. In what will be his fourth ride, he will once again be tackling the longest route on offer through the event – a 100-kilometre rural trek.

“For me, this is an absolutely perfect way to combine two big passions of mine, in cycling and Hospice Dufferin. Four years ago, when I first learned about the event, I decided to start a little easy and go with the 50 kilometre ride, but last year I wanted to test myself a little bit and so pushed on to that 100 kilometre distance,” Mr. LaCute said. “I loved it. Going up that extra step also helped with my fundraising and I managed to raise $4,700 last time around. I’m hoping to beat that this time around.”

With a tentative goal of $5,000 in mind, Mr. LaCute still has a bit of work to do if he’s to reach his total. He’s confident however that he will get there prior to the event taking place and is now focusing his attention on growing the ‘Dufferin County’ team in this year’s ride.

“Last year we had seven or eight members out for the ride, but I’d certainly like to see that grow to a dozen or so if we could,” Mr. LaCute said. “There are a number of other distances, from 10 kilometres to 25 kilometres, that people can choose to do… It’s just an awesome, fun way to spend a Sunday morning.”

For more information on the 2017 Healing Cycle, visit thehealingcycle.ca.

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