Don Patterson

Riding across half the country is pretty impressive, but this July, Don Patterson plans to ride coast-to-coast in 28 days. That means an average daily ride of more than 250 km.

Patterson, broker/managing director, commercial at Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty in Mississauga, rode from Victoria to Thunder Bay in 2010. This year’s solo ride, without a support vehicle, will see him ride from Vancouver to St. John’s, Nfld.

Working with YMCAs across Canada, the 58-year-old grandfather’s objectives are to increase awareness about the importance of physical activity for Canadian youth and to raise funds for local YMCAs so more kids can participate in programs.

Patterson is funding the ride himself so 100 per cent of every donation goes to the YMCAs and its youth programs.

To donate online, go to Patterson’s blog (www.ykids.blog.com) and click on “Donating to your local Y”. Income tax receipts will be automatically provided. To donate by cheque, write “Don’s Ride” in the memo area on your cheque and make it payable to your local YMCA. Or send a cheque to The Mississauga YMCA, 325 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Mississauga, ON L5B 3R2.