Nelson doctor Jim Noiles has a unique fundraising strategy for the upcoming West Kootenay Glacier Challenge — he offers potential donors a chance to register for the MS Bike tour and ride the challenge, a two-day, 222 kilometre event around Kootenay Glacier. Or they can simply sponsor his ride.
As the top fundraiser for two years in a row, Noiles knows about raising money for the West Kootenay Chapter of the MS Society. He is close to passing the $10,000 mark and was presented with the custom jersey and shorts top donors receive as a thank you from the MS Society.
He encourages other participants “to ask everybody, to not be afraid to ask family, friends, colleagues.” As he says, it is an easy cause for him to fundraise for, since he has had patients who live with MS.
Many participants have someone close to them who live with MS and rely on the services provided by the West Kootenay chapter. This area has a higher than average rate of people living with MS.
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, according to an international survey.
So when Noiles asks people to participate in the ride, he sincerely wants more people out there riding. Last year, the West Kootenay Glacier Challenge had 59 participants. This year, registration is up to 80.
But when they aren’t able to ride, helping out one of the riders works well. Each participant needs to raise a minimum of $325 to ride in the challenge. Last year’s tour raised over $70,000 to fund innovative programs and services and support research dedicated to finding a cure for multiple sclerosis.
This year’s West Kootenay Glacier Challenge happens August 17 and18. The last day to register is Monday. To register, go to msbiketours.ca, click on “Find A Location And Register” and select “West Kootenay Glacier Challenge.” The West Kootenay Glacier Challenge is a pledge based fundraising event, hosted by the West Kootenay Chapter of the MS Society.
The MS Society of Canada receives less than three per cent of its revenue from the government, and relies on volunteers and private donors for the rest of its funding. Donors can pledge at msbiketours.ca.
For more information about the tour, contact leona.dimock@mssociety.ca.