Thrifty Foods stores in Colwood, Broadmead Village and four other locations harnessed their pedal power in August in aid of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, raising more than $62,000 in the process.
The fundraiser, which included in-store donations, bike-a-thon pledges and product-based donations, saw staff members at each of the stores ride stationary bikes for 24 hours – Colwood produce clerk Jason Stoke rode the entire day.
“The team here really made this cause their own,” Colwood store manager Ray Gudmundson said in a release.
“We have a close relationship with JDRF through our support of other events throughout the year and meeting the kids impacted by (Type 1 diabetes) has been a privilege. We also had a triathlete on our team, so we were able to witness (Stoke) ride the full 24 hours straight through.”
Youth advocate and diabetic Maegan Barwis, who cheered on the Thrifty Foods Colwood team on the first day of their event, was very appreciative of their efforts and the company in general.
“Getting support that’s unique to my situation with someone who understands type 1 diabetes and the challenges that I face makes all the difference,” she said.
JDRF regional manager Chris Lowe called being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes an “emotionally overwhelming” situation that challenges individuals and families on a day-to-day basis.
“The importance of this fundraiser is about the research, “ he said, “but also about providing the resources and one-on-one support to families and individuals to help them learn how to handle type 1 diabetes, and to become healthy and confident living with the disease.”
For more information about juvenile diabetes or to donate to the cause, visit jdrf.ca/locations/bc-yukon-region/victoria/.
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