Kevin always helped everyone. Lets help him.

For anyone who doesn't know Kevin Grimes, let me give you a brief introduction to this amazing friend, biker, and most importantly father.

I met Kevin well over 10 years ago when out riding around on my motorcycle. I had stopped at a mutual friends and he pulled up, we chatted about the bike, he told me about his bikes, I went on my way. The next week he drove past me while I was riding and he gave a honk and wave, I thought cool, he remembered me. A few weeks later I was out riding, I stopped at the Westwind car show where I ran into him and his good friend Rob. These fellas were just about to head back to his place for some drinks in man land (That is what we called shop) they promptly invited me over and I thought why not, can't hurt to make some new friends. From that day forward one of the best friendships I would ever know was formed.

The thing about Kevin is/was, he really believed in old fashioned hospitality. This means that if you have come to his house once, he needed to learn what you drank, what you liked to snack on, and anything else he about you, so that he could always have your favorite drink, and snack in the fridge, and have something to chat with you about if you happen to ever come by the house again. Some never came back, but you better believe he kept those drinks and snacks around just in case!

Kevin has a daughter who is his world. He loved motorcycles so much that he made sure she always had a bike to work on with him in the shop. He even bought a special bike to drive her on when she was small. He rigged it up special just for her. He bought her the most bad ass biker outfits you could imagine, equipped with patches for her vest and everything. His daughter truly was/is his world. His eyes would light up so bright when he would talk about her. He was always so proud, such an amazing father, I wish all children could have an influence like this in their lives.

I remember one time we were going to go to a concert and I was brining a date that I had been chasing for the better part of the year. Well that day I had something come up that drained my bank account, and had me so embarrassed I was about to cancel the date. Kevin being the amazing and stubborn human he is, gruffly told me don't you &^$%ing dare cancel that date I have got you taken care of. When I met him at the show he walked over and gave me a big handshake and without my date knowing slid a wad of cash into my hand and simply said get me back when you can. That night ended up being one of the best nights I can remember.

This is just a few short examples of who Kevin is. He is a man with a heart of gold. Below the tough and rough biker exterior is a man who loves and cares more than almost anyone I know, and with the amount of bad luck he has seen, he ALWAYS still does it with a smile on his face, and love in his heart, putting everyone else' needs above his own.

So, why are we here? Well in the early weeks of September Kevin was heading home on a group ride with some friends when he suddenly lost control of the bike and had a life changing crash. Without going into the horrible details, Kevin was found on the highway with a hole the size of a softball in his helmet. He is currently in Victoria in a Coma, with a severe head injury. He has been in this state for weeks now. I am not a doctor, and cannot speculate on what his recovery is going to look like, other than he will need help, emotionally, physically, and financially.

One of Kevin's favorite places besides his front deck, was the Highwayman saloon in Union Bay. So in order to raise funds for my friend I have decided that on Oct 16th I will run from Kevin's house in Port Alberni to the Highwayman. This will be approximately 100 km and should take me all day. I will have some support crew meeting me throughout the day, helping me with food, water, and anything else I may require. I am also encouraging any other runners who want to join me for any portions of the run, or the entire thing to please reach out.

All proceeds will go towards helping Kevin with any medical related financial hardships. Any extra funds will be secured into an education savings plan for his amazing daughter who is worried sick for her amazing father.

Thank you again friends, none of this would be possible without you.