VANCOUVER, June 16 /CNW/ – More than 35,000 Canadians came out on all kinds of wheels and rolled for hope this past weekend at the 3rd annual Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion events, Presented by Scotiabank to help improve the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. As of today, preliminary results show Canadians raised more than $1.8 million at events that took place in communities throughout every Province and Territory in Canada, an increase of more than 50% from the previous year.
“I am so inspired by the many Canadians I have met who expressed their commitment to improving the day to day lives of people living with spinal cord injury,” said Rick Hansen, CEO and President of Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation. “Canadians should be proud of the contribution they are making. They’re helping to raise awareness and break down the barriers and perceptions that still exist about people with spinal cord injury. I sincerely thank everyone for making this year’s event such an incredible success – we could not have done this without you.”
Rick Waugh, President and CEO of Scotiabank said, “We’re very pleased to support an annual event that leads to improvements in the lives of Canadians with spinal cord injury. Our employees from coast to coast have personally embraced Wheels In Motion. They have demonstrated their support in the communities where they live and work and we’re thrilled to see this annual event continue to grow each year and know that Scotiabank is helping to make a difference.”
Across the country various events showcased the experience of living with spinal cord injury and the day-to-day challenges of life in a wheelchair. Half of the net proceeds raised from these events are distributed back into the community to support quality of life projects such as transportation, accessibility, physical fitness equipment, playgrounds, family support groups, wheelchair sports, assistive devices, wheelchairs and integration back into the community for people with spinal cord injury and the other half goes towards research that helps to improve every day life and ultimately leads to a cure.
Canadians can continue to donate on line at www.rickhansen.com until June 30, 2005 to help support a Wheels In Motion event that took place in their community.
The Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation’s mission is to accelerate improvements to the quality of life of people with SCI. Since Rick Hansen’s epic Man In Motion World Tour (1985-87), the Foundation has made an impact of over $158 million in support of people with SCI. It has also created an International SCI research center, Canada’s first national SCI network, established an innovative youth program and launched Wheels In Motion. Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2004 the Bank provided more than $33 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide Web at www.scotiabank.com.
For information on all Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion visit www.rickhansen.com or call 1.866.60-WHEEL (1.866.609.4335)
