Cycle for Wishes

The ‘Cycle for Wishes’ team, comprised of members of the insurance industry, cycledfrom Toronto to Ottawa to the RIMS Canada Conference from Sept. 14 to Sept. 17, raising $52,349 for Make-A-Wish Canada. The Highlander Pub in Ottawa’sByWard Market served as the finish line. John Haas, the initiative’s team leader and the managing principal at Integro Insurance’s Canadian office, said the initial fundraising goal was $20,000. But response from the industry was so positive, the team doubled the goal to $40,000 and raised more than $52,000. A spokesperson for Make-A-Wish’s Toronto office said it’s the largest third-party fundraising effort she has seen. Haas said the team wanted to select a charity to benefit both cities. As the RIMS Canada Conference moves from city to city across the country, Haas hopes insurance industry members in the host regions follow suit to make it an annual event. “It’s been truly a team effort, right down to the different cyclists and the key sponsors that have gotten involved,” said Haas. “It started out as an idea on a Sunday morning and grew into something bigger than I could have imagined. It’s because everyone is really working together for this cause.” Riders included Debbie Oleskiw, Zurich, TO; Kelly Tomenson, Chartis, TO; Michel Quatrale, Liberty, TO; Mike Wills, Ironshore, TO; Dane Hambrook, Ironshore,TO; David Tran, Ironshore, TO; Mark Rankin, Integro, TO; John Clements, Integro, USA; Ron Whyte, Integro, London; John Haas,Integro, TO; and Albert Bosch, Allianz, TO.