Going once, going twice, sold. The Ryders Cycling Society of Canada has sold by auction a jersey worn by Ryder Hesjedal in the 2012 Tour de France.
The blue jersey, signed by Hesjedal, fetched $1,775 after a week of bidding on eBay. Proceeds from the sale will go to support up-and-coming cyclists in Canada and to promote the sport of cycling throughout North America.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the Tour de France and raise funds to support cycling in Canada,” said Cody Graham, director of the society and longtime friend of Hesjedal.
“Ryder is an inspiration to so many young cyclists and proceeds from this auction will help them in their athletic pursuits. For the fan who wins the auction, it’s a pretty neat piece of sports memorabilia as well.”
The jersey was worn by Hesjedal during stage five of last year’s Tour de France. Bidding for the jersey closed Saturday. The last Hesjedal jersey offered at auction — the one he wore after his Giro d’Italia win — went for $10,300.
Hesjedal is competing in this year’s Tour de France, which runs until July 21. For more information, go to ryderscyclingsociety.org.
Hiking book sales fund scholarships
Publishers of a booklet originally written 40 years ago are promising to continue funding bursaries and scholarships at post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island for three more years.
Hiking Trails I: Victoria and Vicinity started off as a 32-page booklet, written on a manual typewriter and with hand-drawn maps. It was the first comprehensive park and trail guide for Vancouver Island.
The booklet, which sold for $1 in 1973, was a runaway success. To date, almost 100,000 copies have been sold, both locally and internationally. Profits from the sales have allowed the publishers, the non-profit Vancouver Island Trails Information Society, to establish bursaries and donate funds to other charities.
Over the years, the group has given thousands of dollars to Vancouver Island parks and outdoor organizations, such as the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, the Vancouver Island Spine trail, the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society and the Friends of Strathcona Park.
The booklet has spawned two companion books: Hiking Trails 2: South-Central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and Hiking Trails 3: Northern Vancouver Island. The three books have gone through 32 editions, with the latest using cutting-edge technology in map creation and book design. There’s also an e-book version.
The original book is now $20. The other two sell for $31 each (includes shipping and handling).
For more information, go to hikingtrailsbooks.com.
Spaniel rescuers need help with bills
Victoria-based Angels Under Our Wings cocker spaniel rescue is pleading for donations toward looming vet bills, accumulated while trying to save a sick dog’s life.
This small, non-profit is dedicated to rescuing cocker spaniels locally, as well as focusing on high-kill shelters in Los Angeles, where there is a greater need.
After welcoming five new dogs last week, one fell sick. Lola refused food and water, was lethargic, and struggled to breathe. She was rushed to Central Saanich Animal Hospital for emergency medical care and needed 24-hour care to treat pneumonia.
Lisa Atterby, the organization’s founder, is asking for donations to help pay for the veterinary care that Lola needed, which totals more than $2,500, in addition to other medical, transportation and boarding bills for the dogs.
Donations can be made online at angelsunderourwings.com or directly to Central Saanich Animal Hospital at 250-652-4312 for Angels Under Our Wings Lola.
The cocker spaniel rescue group currently has more than a dozen dogs in need of foster or adoptive homes. Details are available on the website.
Special kids can roll with iCanBike
For some children with special needs, just learning to ride a bike would be an achievement.
To help them, the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has launched a fundraising campaign for the iCanBike program.
“Learning to ride a bike is about more than transportation, it is a milestone of independence,” said Jane Bowers, senior development officer at the foundation.
“Fitting in with their peers is vital for kids with special needs, and riding a bike is a marker of a typical childhood.”
The foundation has contributed $13,000 to bring the iCanBike program to Victoria.
The contribution, in the form of a grant, subsidizes costs for children to attend. The foundation’s Bear Essentials program covers the remaining cost for children who qualify.
The foundation encourages everyone who knows how to ride a bike to contribute to the campaign.
The program runs Monday to Friday at the Pearkes Arena in Saanich.
For more information, and to donate, go to childrenshealthvi.org.
First-aid firm gives training a boost
A first-aid training company is offering scholarships to help address an ambulance staffing shortage on the Gulf Islands and in other rural B.C. communities.
HeartSafe, a company that provides first aid training, will offer free training to one student a year from each island community in its Occupational First Aid level 3/ Emergency Medical Responder program in Victoria. The scholarship does not include travel or living expenses.
The 15-day course is valued at $1,735.
Applicants must be prepared to do the licensing exams once the course is completed, apply for employment with B.C. Ambulance Service after successfully completing the exams and then work on their home island with the ambulance service.
To ensure the most appropriate candidate will be selected, the company is asking the local community and the health-care society on each island to help choose the successful applicant. Each community sets its own criteria when it comes to selecting the student.
For more information, go to firstaidforbc.com.
Cancer program receives $31,318
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, B.C./Yukon Region is providing $31,318 in funding over two years to the YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria for its Encore Breast Cancer Exercise Recovery program.
The foundation created the Community Grant Program to support small, community-based, breast cancer and breast-health related projects throughout the region. It provides seed funding for initiatives that respond to local breast cancer needs.
Created by medical specialists, the Encore Breast Cancer Exercise Recovery is an exercise program for women who have experienced breast cancer. The eight-week program is designed to improve movement and flexibility. Participants are involved in a supportive, non-medical environment. All sessions include exercise, discussion led by guest speakers and time for relaxation and information-sharing over light refreshments.
For more information, go to cbcf.org.
Liquor customers support dry grads
The 2013 grad season saw many graduates enjoy safe and alcohol-free celebrations, thanks to B.C. Liquor Store customers who donated more than $459,000 to the Support Dry Grad Campaign.
The campaign is an annual community fundraiser held by the 195 liquor stores throughout the province. Since 2001, it has raised more than $4.9 million.
During the campaign, which ran in February and March, customers were asked to contribute $1 to help fund alcohol-free celebration events for graduating high school students in their local community.
Fifty-five school districts and the Federation of Independent Schools participated in this year's campaign. Money collected was sent to the store’s local school district. The school districts, in turn, distribute the funds to the volunteer grad committees, which also fundraise. The donated funds are used to pay for alcohol-free grad events and activities such as dances and camping and bus trips to theme parks.
For more information, go to bcliquorstores.com.
— With a file from Nick Wells
