PWRDF Wild Ride 2023

The second annual fundraiser for the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, ‘Wild Ride’, launched June 20 (World Refugee Day) and continued through to October 31. The Wild Ride supported PWRDF partners who serve refugees and displaced people. Their partners work to support refugees in Tanzania, South Sudan, Jordan, Ukraine and more. Participants in Wild Ride, both teams and individuals, were invited and encouraged to raise money by biking, walking, swimming, knitting, canoeing and other chosen activities.

This year, participants from the Diocese of New Westminster raised an outstanding total of $7,005.00. Jane Dittrich, ODNW of Christ Church Cathedral raised $4,100; Liz MacDonald, ODNW of All Saints Ladner raised $850; Peter Goodwin, ODNW of St. James' Vancouver raised $530;  Janet Coghlan, ODNW of St. John the Divine Maple Ridge and The Divine Dashers (participants from St. John the Divine Maple Ridge and St. Laurence Coquitlam) raised a combined total of $1525.

During the PWRDF AGM held September the 22, Liz MacDonald was made an Honorary Associate of PWRDF. This honour is given for prolonged and exceptional volunteer service to PWRDF. Congratulations to Liz on this well-deserved honour!

Most participants in Wild Ride did their rides, walks and committed fundraising endeavours on their own over the course of the four months, but several group outings took place as well. On September 23, the Vancouver walking team consisting of Jane Dittrich, Mark Halyk (Christ Church Cathedral's current PWRDF representative), the Rev. Margaret Marquardt, Peter Goodwin and Liz MacDonald were privileged to meet briefly with Bishop John Stephens and the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, at the Synod office for some photos and conversation prior to their walk. On October 1, Jane and Liz cycled together at Boundary Bay in Tsawwassen. In September, The Divine Dashers team did a walk together which included a break for some photos at the picturesque Osprey Village in Pitt Meadows, and also in October members of their team did a 20KM bike ride together.

Thank you to all participants and to their supporters for raising so much money for PWRDF through Wild Ride efforts this year!

IMAGES

• Walkers from St. John the Divine Maple Ridge and St. Laurence Coquitlam (Team Divine Dashers) Photo: Janet Coghlan
  
• Jane Dittrich, Mark Halyk, Peter Goodwin, Liz MacDonald and the Rev. Margaret Marquardt during their Vancouver walk  Photo: Jane Dittrich
  
• Liz MacDonald and Jane Dittrich cycling at Boundary Bay Photo: Jane Dittrich
  
• Cyclists from St. John the Divine Maple Ridge, left to right, George Coghlan, Steve Zivin, Korri Zivin and Elizabeth Zivin Photo: Janet Coghlan
  
• Screenshot of 2023 top fundraisers