CARLYLE — The Stoughton and Carlyle Royal Canadian Legions had special visitors on the evening of July 10.
Dan Lyver, Ray Lyver, Joel Armstrong and Mark Kornell are from the Military Police National Motorcycle Relay.
They are travelling across Canada to raise funds and awareness for children that have difficulty seeing or have gone blind.
Fifteen years ago, the first ride took place and today it has raised $850,000 in those years.
CARLYLE & STOUGHTON
Beginning in Victoria, B.C. on July 1, this trip will take them across the Canadian Provinces, ending in St. John’s, Newfoundland on July 26.
Ray Lyver is the chairperson for the ride although they take turns scheduling out the day and being the leader.
Armstrong was the lead man through Stoughton and Carlyle.
In the 1950’s a commanding Military officer had a daughter that went blind, and he realized there was not much funding to help with the expensive equipment needed for the blind to be able to read.
This year so far has raised $26,000 and it keeps growing through the donations made from organizations and local people.
Through this trip the riders are responsible for their own expenses, and each dollar raised will go towards a child in need of items needed to see.
These men stopped at the Stoughton Legion for a bite to eat and then continued to the Carlyle Legion where they would spend the night.
Anyone can join this ride and according to Armstrong, they do not need to ride a motorcycle to do so. They can ride for the day or just a few hours, and this is what Owen White did from Weyburn.
The charity has made purchases for special glasses and for equipment too, that can be programmed into a computer.
If a person is under 21 years of age and in need of assistance, they can simply contact the military and they will be directed in the right way.
If anyone wishes to donate, this can easily be done through an e-transfer to [email protected]. They also have a Facebook page and website. At present they have 1400 followers.
Over the course of their trip, they have stopped in many unique places. They have zip lined, stopped at the Calgary Stampede, checked out the dinosaur park.
“We have dipped our wheels in the Pacific Ocean to start this journey,” said Dan. “And when it is finished, we will dip our wheels in the Atlantic Ocean.”
