R2//NYC returns with more than $776,000 raised for Campfire Circle

This September marked the return of R2//NYC – a five-day, 850-km cycling journey from Toronto to New York City to raise funds for Campfire Circle’s year-round programming in children’s hospitals, community events and overnight camps.

After a two-year hiatus, 38 riders departed from our HQ on a bright, sunny Wednesday morning and arrived in Times Square – greeted by a surprise visit from a Camper family – on a Sunday afternoon.

“It was a heart-warming welcome to bring back this monumental event,” says Alex Robertson, CEO, Campfire Circle.

This year, our riders raised just over an astonishing $776,000, surpassing the initial goal of $500,000 –sending kids affected by childhood cancer to more than 300 weeks of camp.

“That’s $155,200 a day, $913 a kilometre, almost $21,000 per rider!” adds Robertson. “However you slice it, this goes a long way to ensure we can reach even more kids and families affected by childhood cancer across the province.”

This incredible journey takes roads less traveled through Southern Ontario, New York State, and Pennsylvania, all supported by  a crew of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care of all the logistics from start to finish.

“We’re grateful for the support of Volkswagen Canada for supplying us with vehicles for the support crews,” says Caley Bornbaum, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Events. “We couldn’t have managed the ride logistics without their amazing partnership.”

Since the first ride in 2018 with nine founding riders, this growing community comes from across Ontario, including Toronto, Collingwood, Hamilton, London and Milton, all united in their goal to give kids with cancer the chance to just be kids. The R2//NYC group includes: Dr. Stacey Marjerrison, an oncology doctor at Hamilton Health Sciences and a longtime volunteer with Campfire Circle; Adam van Koeverden, who is an Olympian, MP for Milton, and a longstanding camp supporter; and Keith Simmonds, the general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, who has rallied the Great Wolf Lodge community to raise over $430,000.

As the 2022 R2//NYC event draws to a close, we are already looking ahead to next year’s event. If you are interested in participating as a rider, volunteer or donor, stay tuned

It’s going to be epic!