A Call for Compassion and Action

Cycle 2 Change was born in 2019 to raise money for mental health. With support from friends, family, and countless others, we raised just under $22,000. Over six days in August, we cycled together for the cause, distributing the funds to Calgary CMHA, Kelowna CMHA, and Olds/Sundre Mental Health.

 I will be riding from Olds to Kelowna this fall to raise funds for essential infrastructure and operational costs.

The ride supports the opening of the first family violence emergency shelter between Red Deer and Calgary, set to open this fall in Olds. The shelter, named Kirsten's Place, is being built on land donated by the Town of Olds. The first phase of the project, a two-story house with six beds, is estimated to cost $900 000, with most funds raised through community radio-thons by the Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society over the past three years. Named in honor of Kirsten Gardner O'Donoghue, a young mother tragically killed in a case of domestic violence, the shelter addresses a critical need for support in the region.

The Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society has previously only offered outreach and programs, but in recent years and throughout Covid the growing need for such a facility is at high demand . I am asking for your help in donations that will be directed towards this project in support of Kirsten’s Place, a much-needed home.

Picture yourself with white knuckles gripping a set of stupid bicycle bars, and a body that aches so badly by day four that you'd rather be attacked by a grizzly than pedal one more mile. Your ideal drink of choice is water but each time someone you know comes along they have a cooler full of beer and the only logical thing to do is drink up !

Your hair isn’t blowing in the wind because you're wearing a ridiculous helmet, paired with spandex bottoms that feel like a diaper. Imagine dodging trucks and potholes while descending mountain passes at speeds far beyond your comfort zone. Two skinny wheels feel like they might explode any minute, and you're glued to a seat that after five days feels like it could be the future cause of spinal surgery.

By day six, you'd rather die than hop on that bike again and continue down one of the busiest highways in Canada, questioning life choices, including the one to raise money for people you don't even know. At the finish line you look back and know full well it was worth every minute!!!

Welcome to Cycle 2 Change 2024! 

 Thank you for your support and compassion. Let's get this done!

 Best regards,

 Curtis Ross