OLDS — More than 40 bikes participated in the second annual spring charity fundraising motorcycle ride, on Sunday, May 2, more than twice as many as last year.
This year, the ride went from Olds to Stettler. Last year’s inaugural one went from Olds to Rimbey.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church pastor Olav Traa, who rode with the bikers, says anecdotally, 43 bikes took part this year, far beyond the 19 that participated last year.
The ride, organized by the Olds chapter of the Sober Riders Motorcycle Association, was held to raise money for the Marc Moebis EMS Scholarship Fund.
Moebis was a Fort Saskatchewan paramedic who died of a heart attack his parents believe was brought on by the stress and hours he worked as a paramedic and a paramedic supervisor in Lamont, located just north of Edmonton.
He left behind a wife, Nicole, and three children.
“Everything went really well,” Traa wrote in an email after the ride.
He said more than $1,000 worth of cash donations for the fund were collected. Online donations had not yet been counted at that point.
This year, members of the Olds EMS station participated, providing two vehicles to support the riders; one in front and an ambulance bringing up the rear.
“Of the folks I spoke with at the AHS EMS station here in Olds, several knew Mark Moebis. When they found out about the ride, they jumped on board with their full support,” Traa wrote.
“Some of them are bikers and said they wanted to join the ride next year. They asked that we let them know about next year’s date as soon as it is set.
“The AHS EMS folks in Stettler received us graciously and offered us a ceremonial escort out of Stettler with sirens and lights ablaze.
“Mark Moebis’ family was on hand in Stettler to offer their gratitude to all involved in honouring Mark’s legacy in this way.”
The day began with a church service at St. Paul’s, attended by some bikers.
Then at about 11:15 a.m., Traa and pastor Reg Berg of Calgary blessed the riders and their bikes.
Traa is confident the ride will be back for a third straight time next year.
