Ride For Doug - SUV fund final chapter

Ride For Doug  2021 is the 15th Anniversary ride.  It is also the final chapter in the push for an accessible vehicle.

3 years ago, we started fundraising for an accessible vehicle. We knew we would need one eventually, and that they are very expensive. Your generous donations brought in $10,000.

That summer, Doug broke his leg - and did not go anywhere without his power chair. This was a massive change to his lifestyle. We did not have a vehicle capable of carrying his power chair from place to place. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to act quickly to purchase a (very) used accessible van using the funds raised. It became an invaluable part of getting out and around.

Over the past couple of years we have continued to raise money for a long-term solution.  During this time, Doug turned 16 - and we spent a year of waitlists, assessments, and appointments trying to determine if he would be a driver of this vehicle or not. During this time, we have relied on the old van.  We ran another Ride For Doug, and your generosity to the project continued.

Enter the Braunability Chevy Traverse SUV .

This is a brand new option that didn't even exist when we started our search. Braunability takes a Chevy Traverse and lowers the whole floor, and adds a side entry ramp. This gives us:
- The ability for Doug to ride either front row OR second row
- The ability for more than one chair to ride at a time (what if you have friends in chairs?)
- A good looking vehicle for a "car guy" to pull up to meets in
- Lots of interior space for chair and gear

Unfortunately, due to production delays related to COVID, the 2020 release date got pushed into 2021. And due to ongoing production challenges, the Canadian version of this isn't expected until later in 2021.

So this gives us one last year in the old white minivan. Another summer (driving a  teen around) without air conditioning.  It also gives us one last year to raise money for its replacement.

As of right now, we have $17,000 cash in a vehicle fund, and will be selling the old van to recover some of the $10,000 that was spent on it.

The pricing on the Traverse hasn't been released yet, but it is expected to be approximately $40,000 (plus the cost of a new Traverse) to convert. This is likely in the $90,000 - $100,000 range out the door.

We can't thank you enough for your generosity over the years. Ride For Doug has shown us how deeply the community around us cares.



Donations made on the GoFundMe page (here) are not tax receiptable. They will be added to the money already raised towards a long term accessible vehicle.

Tax receiptable Donations for Muscular Dystrophy Canada can be made online through the Donate Now link at www.RideForDoug.com.




All donations this year are being collected online. There are no registration fees for this year's ride.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.