![Small Wonder [no limits] 08 - 09 Report to Donors](images/header.jpg)
On June 26th, over 400 people from Toronto’s financial district pushed themselves past their limits at the 9th annual Bike for Tykes fundraiser for Bloorview. Participants pedaled stationary bikes in the TD courtyard to the tune of upbeat music, and raised over $200,000 for kids like Sequoiah.
Ten-year-old Sequoiah knows a thing or two about physical endurance.
Sequoiah has cerebral palsy and has been in and out of Bloorview for years. “Physiotherapy,” she says, “is hard work.” But thanks to Bloorview’s dedicated therapists and her own stamina, Sequoiah is walking, and she has decorated her leg braces with pictures of one of her favorite heroines – herself!
Bloorview’s staff is committed to working wonders with kids like Sequoiah. Everyday our therapists, clinicians, and scientists help children with physical and developmental disabilities to do more and go further – not only to become physically stronger, but to learn the social and life skills that all kids need to lead healthy, active lives.
The seven members of the Bike for Tykes Committee are not parents of kids with disabilities. Yet, for the past several years they’ve pulled together this extraordinary event, raising over $500,000 in total for Bloorview and making success stories like Sequoiah’s possible.
Thanks to their commitment, kids like Sequoiah are able to lead ordinary, extraordinary lives, just like any other kid.
According to the committee members, they get a lot of positive feedback about Bike for Tykes from participants who say it’s meaningful and fun. But the best feedback is from kids like Sequoiah and their families.
These days Sequoiah is busy being a kid. Her favorite sports are soccer and basketball and she loves to play Nintendo Wii.
How wonderful is that?
Bike for Tykes Committee: Marni Hamilton; Fred Hamilton; Ginny Macdonald; Susan Carnevale; Michelle Monroe; Anne Churly and Beth Beauchemin
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Images above: Sequoiah and friends at the 2008 Bike for Tykes event.
Bike for Tykes crew opening the TSX.