Annex man cycling across Canada for school children.
Annex resident Ilan Levy, right, with Landon Boyd of Vancouver in Rosetown Eagle, Saskatchewan. Levy is cycling across Canada to raise funds for SchoolBOX, an organization that build schools and supports education in developing countries.
Photo/COURTESY
With every turn of his bike's pedals, Annex area resident Ilan Levy is moving closer to two important goals.
The 58-year-old Levy is cycling across Canada, and in so doing is raising funds for SchoolBOX, an organization that builds schools and supports education in developing countries. As he makes his way across the country, Levy said he hopes to raise $100,000 to fund school supplies for 8,000 children in Nicaragua - roughly one child for every kilometre he will travel.
His lengthy journey began in Tofino, British Columbia, the westernmost point on Vancouver Island. For much of his trek, he has been travelling with a group of fellow cycling enthusiasts, though Levy alone is raising funds for SchoolBOX.
He came across the charity last November at a fundraiser and decided to tie his own efforts in with a long-standing dream of biking across Canada.
"I was thinking of doing the trip a couple of years later, for my 60th birthday," he said. "I'm an avid cyclist and it seemed like a fantastic way to see the country."
Upon learning about the work SchoolBOX does, however, Levy quickly decided he could make the trip sooner - and with even more reason to ride. He proposed the idea of riding across Canada almost immediately after hearing about SchoolBOX.
"A light bulb went off for me," he said. "I decided that rather than riding for fun, I could ride to raise money."
His trip has already stretched over a month - he started June 10 - and will last until he arrives in St. John's, Newfoundland, Aug. 26.
Levy noted there have been times when he has wondered exactly what he has gotten himself into. He has ridden through torrential rain and baking heat, across mountainous terrain and barren prairies. Through parts of his journey, Levy and his fellow riders have been virtually in the middle of nowhere, with no services and nowhere to get food or water.
"What you pack for yourself at the start of each day is what you've got," he said.
The group has already passed the halfway point of their journey, at least in terms of kilometres travelled. Levy's fundraising efforts, meanwhile, have brought in more than $30,000, with commitments for another $10,000.
"Knowing we're more than halfway there and the distance we travel each day makes it easier," he said. "I'm helped by knowing that I'm doing this for more than myself. I was really taken by SchoolBOX's theme, which is that $5 can send a child to school."
Levy has been blogging about his journey as he travels at http://schoolboxca.wordpress.com. Donations to his cause can be made through the site.