“It was something I had to do.”
For the past seven years Gary Goreniuk has strapped on his helmet with a special cause in mind.
In 2011, one of Goreniuk’s close friends passed away from cancer.
Wanting to keep his memory alive and help others suffering from cancer, Goreniuk started fundraising for Haying in the 30’s.
“I wanted to do something for him. He was diagnosed with cancer in September, and the following April he passed away. He didn’t last too long. It was really dear to my heart that I had to do something to help other people,” expressed Goreniuk.
For the first two or three years, he kept the trips to about 30-kilometres. Over time, he extended it to 100-kilometres.
Travelling from his home in Bonnyville to Maillaig and back, he keeps his friend, family, and community in mind.
“The sad thing is how I had to watch my friend dwindle away very quickly. I look at it and think ‘I’m in pretty decent shape, I’m healthy, I can do this.’ No matter how tired I get, I think it’s worthwhile to do it and that’s what I think about when I’m biking. I think about how my legs are tired, but I’m going to recover, my friend never did,” Goreniuk said.
Just knowing he is making a difference is enough motivation for Goreniuk to hop on his bike every year.
The money he raises doesn’t always go to Haying in the 30’s. Every two years, Goreniuk rotates his charity between the local organization and the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton.
“One-hundred per cent of my donations go to the charity,” he noted.
Both causes are close to Goreniuk’s heart.
His daughter spent a few days at the Stollery Children’s Hospital following a minor surgery.
Goreniuk said it’s thinking of the kids that go there everyday that drove him to include it on his list of organizations to fundraise for.
Last year, he raised over $1,400 for Haying in the 30’s, and hopes to top that for the Stollery this year.
Goreniuk never chooses a specific day to do the ride, instead he goes with his gut feeling and weather.
“I’m probably going to be doing it sometime over the next few weeks. I have done it every year in July. It’s usually spur the moment. I planned it last year and it backfired on me. I got up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning and was ready to go, but it was raining,” he described.
The rain did slow down around 6 a.m., so Goreniuk ended up going, but on the way to Mallaig, he met quite a few storms.
Regardless, Goreniuk finished the 100-kilometre journey in seven hours.
He said depending on the weather, it can take as little as six hours to make the trip.
Anyone interested in donating to the cause can contact Goreniuk at 780-815-3063.
“People can donate either before, or even after my bike ride. I usually go to the Stollery in mid-August and take my donations to them... Each year, they can’t believe I would do this bike ride for them. They’re just as gratified as can be.”
