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Cambridge youth cycling 90 km for cancer research

Euan Bingham is looking to raise $2,000 or more for the Terry Fox Foundation during the Terry Fox Ride of Hope

The training wheels came off Euan Bingham's bike five years ago and he continues to push his pedal power each summer as he raises money for cancer research.

Since 2020, the soon-to-be nine-year-old Cambridge resident has been participating in the Terry Fox Ride of Hope, an event organized by the Terry Fox Foundation. Euan said he wanted to do it because it combined both things he already liked, cycling and Terry Fox.

"I think it was amazing that he did this run to try and raise funds," Euan said about Terry Fox. "If we can find a cure for it, that could save a lot of people's lives."

This year, Euan plans to ride 90 km along the Cambridge Rail Trail and raise $2,000 dollars for cancer research. Euan said he chose 90 km as he will be turning nine on July 9, which is the same day as the event.

“For my birthday party this weekend, I can’t think of anything that I wanted, so I am just asking for Terry Fox donations,” he said.

In his first Ride of Hope event, Euan did a 70 km bike ride and raised $500. Last year, he cycled over 80 km and raised $1,000. 

“We rode it in one day, five hours and nine minutes, 82 kilometres,” Euan said about last year's ride. “My average speed was 20 kilometres per hour and my max ride was 26 kilometres per hour.”

To prepare this year, Euan does long practice rides on the weekend. He also is part of the Kitchener Waterloo Cycling Academy.

While out in the community on his bike, Euan also tries to spread awareness about the Ride of Hope. 

“I have a sign that I have cabled-tied to my bike that says, ‘Ask me about the Terry Fox Ride of Hope’ and if people ask me about it, I have little cards with my information and a QR code which they can scan and donate to me, or sign up,” he said, mentioning he was also a former ambassador for the event. 

Kelly Bingham, Euan's mother, notes many people they speak with about the ride are often unaware of its existence. 

"Everyone knows about the Terry Fox walk, because it's in schools and it's publicized a lot, but I don't think a lot of people realize they have other fundraisers throughout the year, like the ride or a hike, they have a hike as well," said Kelly. 

Euan adds people don't need to ride 90 km like he is in order to participate in the event. 

"They don't need to ride far, it could be a short distance," said Euan. "Whatever is good for them, they can do."

Kelly recalls Euan first mentioned the idea of biking 70 km for the event two years ago. Prior to the Ride of Hope, she notes the farthest Euan travelled was from Glen Morris to Paris, about 11 km.

Unsure if he would really want to ride that far, the family decided to do a bike trip to and from Port Dover to see if Euan could complete it, and he did.

"We were like, 'He's really doing it, he's going to finish it,' and so we thought, 'Okay, maybe he can do this.'" said Kelly.

Now, Kelly said her and her husband are proud of their son and his participation in the Ride of Hope. 

“It’s amazing that no matter how old you are, you can still do good things, so it’s inspiring to us to see him do this, and make us better," she said.

To learn more about Euan's campaign, go to terryfox.ca. Those who would like to register for the Ride of Hope, click this link