CORNWALL, Ontario – About 50 riders were ready to rev their engines at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 9. for the inaugural Ride for Richard.
“He passed away almost four years ago in 2014 and he was a big fan of what he liked to call ‘nowhere rides’, where you just get in the car on a nice sunny day and just go where the steering wheel, or the handlebars, take you,” said Richard’s son, Dan Allaire.
The ride honouring Richard’s memory raised funds for the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation (CCHF). Each rider paid an entry fee of $50 and was entitled to breakfast and dinner. This year’s inaugural event didn’t have a fundraising goal, but hoped to raise awareness of the foundation. Riders also had the chance to win prizes through a poker run, which included stops at four breweries and one winery in the region.
Allaire explained that his father worked for the City of Cornwall for over 35 years, and at one point was the Public Chairman for the CCHF redevelopment campaign. After retirement, Richard continued to support the foundation and pursue volunteer opportunities within the community.
“I learned a lot from him about giving back and being a contributing member of the community, and I always wanted to do a Ride for a Richard,” said Allaire.
When Dave Villeneuve, an event organizer, wanted to do a Ride for CCHF, Allaire knew it would be a great opportunity to honour his father.
“It’s something to kind of keep his legacy going, as far as someone who does something for the community. I’m trying to fill his shoes but they’re pretty big, so I’m working at it,” said Allaire.
Cornwall Motorcycle Training Program (MTP) was the main sponsor of the event, and Allaire is a graduate of the program.
“This community always takes care of it own,” said Allaire. “We took an idea, and we’re standing here today, and it has come to fruition. And a little more money will be going to the hospital foundation for equipment and I couldn’t be happier.”
