BRANTFORD, Ont. – A number of Brantford-area trucking companies offered warm hospitality for a group of snowmobilers who took part in a chilly ride for charity earlier this year. A total of 56 participants took part in the seventh annual Great Northern Ride fundraiser, making the trek from North Bay, Ont. to Gaspe, Que. and back during a five-day stint in mid-February. Riders paid $1,500 to participate and also raised pledges on their own, in order to raise money for the Brantford Rotary Club which helps area youth. Some participants were able to raise more than $5,000 in pledges, according to Great Northern Ride chairman, Bob Caissie.

“I think things went great,” he said. “Our main thing is nobody gets hurt, no major damages. We did the whole trip without a problem with 1,500 km in a five-day period.”

A total of five tractor-trailers were donated from Global Express, Hewings Transportation, Fleetway Transport and Jeff Bryan Transport, to transport 60 snowmobiles for riders. Once the ride was underway, the trailers also carried the rider’s luggage for them as well as a few extra snowmobiles in case of mechanical failure.

One of Global Express’s trailers was decaled with the rider’s names as well as major corporate sponsors. In addition, Davis Fuels supplied the fuel required for the trip.

The event has raised over $500,000 for Brantford’s youth since 2001, and funds programs such as Every Kid Counts, the Children’s Safety Village, Help a Child Smile, Junior Achievement, the Boys and Girls Club, Lansdowne Children’s Centre, as well as funding equipment, camps and ramps for physically challenged children.

For those interested in joining next years ride or for information on how to become a sponsor, call Bob Caissie (the “Culligan Man”) at 519-732-7801.