User:RIDE Communications

The RIDE for Refugees
The RIDE for Refugees is a 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 km cycling event that raises funds for international refugee projects and services. Participants form or join a team then seek out sponsors. Most donations are made online at the RIDE for Refugees website. For more information go to.

The RIDE for Refugees accepts the UNHCR definition of the term refugee.



History of the RIDE for Refugees
Begun in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 2004, 25 riders participated in the first RIDE for Refugees and raised $25,000.

In 2005, 87 riders and approximately 30 volunteers joined the event in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Over $65,000 was raised.

In 2006, over 200 riders and volunteers joined the event on October 14th in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Over $85,000 was raised.

In 2007, the RIDE Partner Grant Program (RPG) began. The RPG allows teams to allocate 50% of the funds they raised to approved refugee projects of their choosing. The concept of “giving back” through the RPG inspired over 500 riders and 66 different teams. Brantford and Hamilton became the two new RIDE locations. Altogether $268,000 was raised in support of 30+ separate refugee projects and services.

On October 18, 2008, the fifth annual RIDE for Refugees was held in Ontario cities: Waterloo, Hamilton, Oakville, Windsor, Fort Erie, and Muskoka; in Moosomin, Saskatchewan; Fraser Lake, British Columbia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Montreal, Quebec. 9729 sponsors helped raise over $600,000.

In 2009, the RIDE for Refugees will take place in Ontario in: Waterloo, Stirling, Windsor, Ottawa, Brampton, Fort Erie, Hamilton, London, Muskoka, and Markham; in Montreal, Quebec; in Moosomin, Saskatchewan; in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and in Sydney, Australia.

The RIDE for Refugees is sponsored by International Teams Canada a non-profit missions organization.