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| 18th Annual GVMC Gord Heppler Memorial Run
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Date:
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Location:
Contact:
Phone:
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
9:00:00 AM
GVMC Clubhouse
Jackie Heppler
(604)888-8152
houseape@shaw.ca
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| Click here to view Event Poster |
History of the Gord Heppler Run
Gord Heppler Memorial Run
The Gord Heppler Memorial Run was started eighteen years ago by his wife Jackie Heppler with the sponsorship of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club. The loving memory of her husband’s enthusiasm for motorcycling and his love of children led her to start the Run to help those children fighting to have a life free from cancer. Gord was a long time active member of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club who died of cancer on May 21, 1992 at the age of 44.
The first Gord Heppler Memorial Run was held in 1993. There was a good turn out for the first Run and every year the participation has increased. The Run includes a ride through awesome, winding back roads, remote farmlands, and scenic mountains all in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. The ride usually lasts about three hours ending up at a final destination for a barbecue and warm camaraderie. All those who are registered for the Run are tracked as they check in at the check points where they do activities for points towards prizes at the end. If any one does not check in at the end of the Run a round up crew is sent out.
Working with the social workers at the Vancouver’s Children’s Hospital Jackie each year designates what that year’s proceeds from the Run will be spent on. The support of the motorcycling world in the past years has allowed them to purchase home infusion units, portable monitored and metered I.V. machines, T.V’s, V.C.R.’s, and videos to help inform the children as to what is happening to them and what is being done for them. They also purchased some entertainment videos to try to help take the children’s minds of their fears and often painful treatments that they must endure.
Thirteen years ago, Jackie was asked by the social workers if the Run would sponsor a Courage Award Trophy which would be given to each child when they had completed their treatment whether that treatment had been successful or not as just facing the treatment takes a lot of courage. They felt that the children’s emotional well being was just as important as their medical well being. Regrettably, not all of the children have survived their treatments but Jackie has been informed that the Courage Award has been displayed at their funerals as one of their favourite possessions and something to represent their lives. Emerson Thomas, the first recipient of the Courage Award is enjoying his thirteenth year of remission from Leukemia. Each year since he received the Award, he and his brother Julian and their mother Sharon Bool have attended the Run. Members of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club take them out on the Run. This involvement with motorcycling, rekindled Emerson’s Mom’s love of motorcycling.
The inscription on the Courage Award reads:
B.C.C.H.Oncology Bone Marrow
Transplant Courage Award
“For meritorious conduct,
extraordinary valor and conspicuous bravery….
You are now a member of the
Legion of Courage.”
- The Wizard of Oz
2009, marked the seventeenth Annual Gord Heppler Memorial Run. With the help of the motorcycling public, this year’s Run raised $17,376.07 which a group of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club presented in person on the Children’s Hospital Miracle Telethon. This brings the grand total raised in seventeen years to $107,055.17.
Current Information on the Heppler Run
18th Annual Gord Heppler Memorial Run
Sign up: $20.00 per person (which includes the barbecue at the end of the Run) from 10:00am - 11:00am at the GVMC Club House - Unit 307 - 9785 192nd Street. Cars are welcome.
There is a prize division for drivers of cars as well as riders of motorcycles and passengers.
Come early (9:00 am) for a GVMC Pancake and Sausage breakfast for $5.00.
Join us for a fun day of riding, meeting new and interesting people, eating good food, silent auction, and draws, live band, and most importantly supporting a very needy and worthwhile cause.
Silent Auction: Some large Ticket Items so use of Visa, Mastercard and American Express will be available.
Raffle Tickets will be on sale at the event. $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00
Raffle Prizes:
Prizes:
1st Prize -Three night stay at a Mt.Washington Mountain House Retreat (Sleeps 8) – Donated by Humphries Tug and Barge - Value $1000.00
2nd Prize - One Hour Sightseeing Airplane Tour for 3 - Donated by M.C. Welding - Value $300.00
3rd Prize - Queensized Handmade Quilt - donated by Marge Vickers - Value $200.00
4th Prize - Engraveable Gift Item from Trident Key (includes engraving) - Value $50.00
Class B Gaming Event Licence # 22489
All proceeds go to the "B.C. Children's Hospital" to help Kids With Cancer.
**To view pictures of this event please check it out in the Past Events section of this website or the Photo Gallery.
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