HIGHWAY OF HEROES BIKE RIDE

WWC HIGHWAY OF HEROES BIKE RIDE QUICK INFORMATION Dates: August 25-26, 2018 Ride: Afghanistan Reparation Memorial, Trenton to Queen s Park, Toronto Open to: All Canadians Cost: Minimum fundraising amount: $1,250. $250 Registration Fee contributes to the minimum fundraising amount. Route Options: 2 Day 220km (total) & 2 Day 160km (total) OVERVIEW From 2001 to 2014 more than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in the Afghanistan theatre of operations. While Canada s efforts in Afghanistan made a great difference, this effort has come at a great cost to our nation. 158 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom in Afghanistan and thousands have been physically and or mentally injured as a result of these operations. Ontario s Macdonald-Cartier Freeway, better known as Highway 401, crosses through some of the most densely populated areas in Canada. In 2007, a 170 kilometre portion of the highway stretching from CFB Trenton to the Don Valley Parkway (and later Keele Street) in Toronto was designated the Highway of Heroes, reflecting its use as the route for funeral convoys carrying fallen Canadian Armed Forces service men and women from CFB Trenton to the coroner s office in Toronto. While unintentional, the funeral processions brought thousands of ordinary Canadians often led by our communities First Responders out to the bridges along the Highway of Heroes to pay their respects to the fallen. No matter how Canadians observed the funeral processions, the experience has woven the Afghanistan mission into the collective fabric of our nation. What s more, Trenton was also the place where those killed in action from previous conflicts returned to Canadian soil. Now in its third year, the Highway of Heroes Bike Ride takes a group of Canadians along this sacred stretch of highway to raise funds and awareness in support of those living with Operational Stress Injuries like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The ride carries forward the ethos of Wounded Warriors Canada to Honour the Fallen and Help the Living. 2

ROUTE OVERVIEW CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE 2017 HHR RIDE 3

FUNDRAISING INFORMATION & CONTACT IMPACT Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) is a national mental health charity whose mission is to honour and support our country s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, First Responders and their families. As a privately funded charity that receives no government financing, the funds raised from the Highway of Heroes Bike Ride make a significant difference in our ability to invest in a wide range of mental health programs and services for individual members and families affected by Operational Stress Injuries. Through the first two events, the participants, donors and sponsors have raised nearly $500,000. http://woundedwarriors.ca/how-we-help/ TAX RECEIPTS Tax receipts will be issued to those who donate $20.00 (and above) in support of your ride. 2018 HHR RIDE DIRECTOR CONTACT US LOGISTICS For questions regarding hotels, transportation, training tips, event logistics and the route please contact our Tour Provider via Jan Thomas: jan@multisportcanada.com EVENT & FUNDRAISING For questions regarding event fundraising and operations please contact the WWC Highway of Heroes Ride Director, Steve Topham: steve@woundedwarriors.ca FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT The minimum fundraising amount to participate is $1,250. The $250 registration fee is non-refundable and is utilized to cover the costs of the event. Note: the registration fee does contribute to your $1,250 minimum fundraising goal. Steve Topham Steve@woundedwarriors.ca TAX RECEIPTING For questions regarding the fundraising platform, registration, or tax receipting please contact our Finance & Administration Director, Laurie Sweet: laurie@woundedwarriors.ca 4