MONTREAL, June 6, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral Media Inc. (TSX: ACM.A ACM.B) is proud to announce its association with the Michel Garant challenge on behalf of the Mira Foundation as media partner for a cross-country tour on a Top End model, 27 speed adaptable strong arm bike.
After becoming a paraplegic due to a spinal cord injury from snowboarding, Michel Garant decided to travel across Canada on a bike to raise awareness among Canadians about the Mira Foundation and its mission to provide fully trained dogs to meet the rehabilitation and lifestyle needs of disabled people. Along with his guide dog Mollo, he will criss-cross the country from coast to coast on his hand-powered bike during 90 days, and so travel more than 7,000 kilometres.
"Mira has been part of the Québec landscape for many years and we're particularly pleased to be able to contribute to the promotion of this foundation across the country through our radio stations," said Jacques Parisien, Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer at Astral. "I join the employees of the Astral family to wish Mr. Garant the best of luck for this great adventure."
As part of its sponsorship of the Mira Foundation, Astral will broadcast advertising messages on many of its radio stations to boost awareness about the Foundation, in addition to airing interviews so that listeners can follow the travels of the cyclist and his dog.
"This is definitely a great advantage for Mira and this huge challenge to benefit from Astral's national network of radio stations," said Éric St-Pierre, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mira Foundation. "Thanks to Astral, millions of Canadians will hear about Michel Garant's feat and the Mira Foundation."
Sponsored in association with Eukanuba and Publicis Canada, Michel Garant will begin his journey on June 9 in Vancouver. Visit the website michelgarant.ca to follow Michel through his journey and to make a donation.
Mira is a pioneer and precursor in training Service Dogs for challenged people. Through this tour, Mira wants to share with the rest of Canada its expertise and know-how. The goal is to help more Canadians with one or many visual or motor disabilities benefit from the services offered by the Mira Foundation.
Founded in 1961, Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates several media properties—pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties—among the most popular in the country. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers alike. To find out more about Astral, go to astral.com.
Olivier Racette
Advisor, Corporate Communications
Astral Media Inc.
514 939-5000
orac[email protected]
Share this article