Cycling event to remember Const. Marc Hovingh
Almost 10 months to the day that Const. Marc was killed, family, friends and even strangers will cycle both on Manitoulin Island and virtually Saturday.
It's the first annual Marc Hovingh Memorial Island Ride.
“It’s a great fundraiser just for youth who are in need,” said Lianne Hovingh, Marc’s wife. "It can be anything from shoes or winter coats, extra tutoring or help with going to university."
While it’s free to participate, those taking part are being encouraged to make a donation to the OPP Youth Foundation.
“(It) funds disadvantaged youth,” said Const. Marie Ford, of the OPP Manitoulin detachment. "It helps them realize their potential. It really assists the OPP in creating good, positive relationships with youth."
Lianne Hovingh said the event is a fitting tribute her husband.
“He would just be that really good listening ear and would always make himself available for youth who were in need and that’s just Marc’s heart," she said.
"He just loved to help. He, just in his quiet way, he would make a big impact on youth's lives but never in the forefront, never for everybody to see. It was actually more after his death that I would hear from family members (about) the difference he would make.”
Cyclists will travel 33-136 kilometres on Saturday. The hope is to continue the event for years to come.
“It's an incredible chance for us to just get the wind on our bodies, get some exercise and just remember an incredibility wonderful man who we miss so much,” said Ford.
Hovingh said she wishes there was a better way to express how she feels rather than just thank you. She said the love and support both her and her four children have felt since Marc’s passing has been surrounding them.
“It’s just so greatly appreciated," she said. "It has definitely lifted us up and yeah I just can’t thank everybody enough and I do just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart.”
For more information on the ride or to donate to the OPP Youth Foundation click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.