$675.30

Welcome to my Friends for Life Bike Rally page.

In 2022, I taught myself how to ride a bike by watching YouTube videos. I knew I’d fall a few times. I figured I might suffer a few bruises. What I didn't expect was falling in love this deeply with the freedom of movement, with the joy of community, with the feeling of pushing past what I thought I could do.

Cycling became something bigger than a hobby. It became how I found people. Before I left Nigeria, I started a small cycling group in Ibadan. Just a few strangers who wanted to ride. Now, they’re close friends. And since moving to Canada, cycling has helped me root myself here. I’ve been volunteering with Bike Brigade, delivering food and essential supplies to people across Toronto.

This summer, I’m taking on the Friends for Life Bike Rally. I’ll be riding 600km from Toronto to Montreal to raise money for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA).

It’s a long ride. The longest I’ve ever done. But it’s nothing compared to the journey that people living with HIV/AIDS walk every day. Many of them just need a bit of support: food, care, a friendly voice, a safe place to rest. PWA helps make those things possible.

So I’m asking for your help. If you can, please consider donating to my ride. Even $25, $50 or more, goes directly to helping someone live with dignity.

And there’s more. For every donation I receive, I will increase the number of food bank deliveries I make after the rally. So when you give to PWA, you’re also helping me get food and essentials to more people across Toronto especially retired neighbours who rely on these deliveries every week.

This rally is my way of showing up. For others. For community. And for the version of myself that believes in pushing forward, one pedal at a time.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for giving.