October 6, 2008 (Hamilton, ON) – Rain or shine, 250 cyclists are expected to participate in the 5th annual RIDE for Refugees in Hamilton on October 18th, 2008. The RIDE for Refugees (R4R) is a 10, 25, 50 and 100 km bicycle tour that raises money for refugee projects and services overseas and in Canada. Last year 538 cyclists raised $267,000. This year organizers anticipate 2000 riders in nine locations across Canada and hope to raise $500,000.

The RIDE Start and Finish Lines will be located at Rehoboth Christian School,198 Inksetter Rd, Copetown. The ride will begin at 9:30 am.

“I think Canadians are well aware that there are 67 million refugees and IDPs in the world but most of us feel helpless to do anything about it. The RIDE for Refugees gives us an opportunity to take action-to do something that will make a difference in the lives of refugees,” said Brian Carney, RIDE for Refugees Chairman.

In previous years money raised by the R4R has built schools, supported several orphanages, purchased sewing machines, and cleaned up 200 contaminated wells for refugees in Sudan. It has helped pay for plane tickets that reunited a refugee family in Canada and it established micro-enterprises in the Kaziba Refugee Camp in Rwanda. Micah House, Hamilton’s refugee shelter (173 Gage St. N, Hamilton), is one of the local recipients of the funds raised by the RIDE. This shelter has hosted 200 refugees since it opened in 2006.

“This cycling tour really is rain or shine and in previous years cyclists biked through the driving snow. I’m motivated by the thought that the small bit of suffering I experience biking is nothing compared to what refugees suffer in some of the worst conditions imaginable,” Carney said. “Many RIDE participants are involved with refugees here in Canada or have seen the refugee camps with their own eyes. It’s very motivating to think that our biking tour will alleviate some of that suffering.”

About the RIDE for Refugees:
The RIDE for Refugees is an annual fundraising event for refugee projects and services in Canada and overseas sponsored by International Teams Canada, a non-profit organization. To learn more about the RIDE for Refugees, please see www.rideforrefugees.com.