7 News Belize

Riding for Health and Charity
posted (November 27, 2008)

At 6 this morning the bugle was sounded and 60 cyclists began a ride from Corozal to Belize City. It took a full 6 hours to reach Belize City and that is because they weren’t in a rush. In fact it wasn’t a race, it was the Social Security Board’s Ride Across Belize. It is a ride for charity and they hope to raise $60,000. This morning was just the end of the first leg and we were there for the finish.

Keith Swift Reporting,
The pack included semi-pro cyclists, one current and one former Cabinet Minister, and just regular folks. For some it was easier than others.

Godfrey Smith, Participant
“This first stage was fairly straight forward. I think most people found it fairly easy going. Of course with each passing day it gets more gruelling and tougher. Tomorrow is Belize City to Cayo and we’ve got some hills there and Saturday is the killer day, San Ignacio and Dangriga, final stage Dangriga to Punta Gorda. I will make it to the end but I might get some health making it to the end.”

Hon. Edmund Castro, Participant
“It was rough. Since four weeks I have never covered the distance that much and also the speed sometimes the speed was up to 20 something miles an hour. It is kind of out of what I should be doing at this time but it shows that with dedication and the strong will power you can accomplish great things.”

Mateo Cruz, Participant
“I wouldn’t say challenging but it is very good for me, to help me get ready for the 2009 season. All the miles and the hours on the bike, it is like a loading phase right now and then during the racing season I just maintain my condition.”

Horace Boyd, 68 years old Participant
“It was beyond my expectation because I overdid myself…it was very challenging.”

Challenging but 68 year old Horace Boyd and these other riders did for the cause.

Horace Boyd,
“Social Security gives me a check every month which I am very grateful for. So now that they need assistance to help people who have diabetes and people who Aids and other people that are sick with their kidneys, I feel that it is a great privilege that all these cyclists who took part today are generous in giving back something.”

Godfrey Smith,
“As I understand it Social Security Board is trying to use it to encourage healthy lifestyle, healthy living and exercise as well as to at the same time raise some funds to contribute to a charitable cause.”

Mateo Cruz,
“It is something like I want to give back to the community.”

Chandra Cansino, Organizer
“It has a dual purpose I would say. Initially it was to raise funds for charities, it is a Social Security staff initiative, and we also combine the healthy lifestyle promotion that we are trying to do from the Social Security Board and so it is a combination of staying healthy and riding for a cause.”

The ride sets off for Cayo from in front of Social Security’s Office in Belize City tomorrow at 6 am. On Saturday they will ride from Cayo to Dangriga. You can make donations to Social Security. The funds raised will sponsor programmes in select charities.

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