By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – It’s more than just a bicycle ride for Lana Kovinich.
Three years ago at a relative’s wedding ceremony, her father, Vuk, died suddenly of a heart attack. He was 62.
In his memory, family members and local lawyers banded together for the Big Bike ride fundraising event at the Royal Canadian Legion in Cornwall on Saturday (April 25).
“I’m so grateful to see such a great turnout in support of my dad and the Heart & Stroke Foundation,” said Kovinich.
The large red bike has 29 seats, plus one for the driver, and each participant raises funds by collecting pledges.
The squad of Kovinichs and attorneys raised $4,275, the second-largest amount of the day.
“It’s a little cool out, but all the participants have warms hearts and are here to ride,” said Cindy Rowe, area manager of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario SDG-PR&A office.
The goal is to raise $16,000 from the Cornwall edition of the annual ride before it heads into the townships.
The two-day event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday, the Big Bike will start from the RCAFA building on Water Street.
An appreciation breakfast for over 120 Heart & Stroke Foundation volunteers was also held at the Legion early that morning.