Fifth annual bike-a-thon event raises $7,000 for clean water

CALGARY, June 6, 2016 /CNW/ - This weekend marked another successful fundraiser for Wheels for Wells as 70 Calgary-area residents biked to raise an incredible $7,000 for World Vision water projects.  Over the past five years, Wheels for Wells has raised a totally of $177,000.  Money raised from this ride will help World Vision water projects in Sudan. 

Participants fundraised and biked distances of 10, 30, 60 or 120 km, setting off from Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary.  Earlier this year riders raised $30,000 by cycling in Tanzania.  Later this month, a team will ride from Vancouver to Calgary to continue raising funds and awareness for this important issue. 

Quotes:

"For the fifth year in a row we are amazed at the generosity of Calgary-area residents.  The funds raised this year are going to important work – helping to reduce the number of preventable child deaths and illnesses.  Through World Vision, we are humbled and overwhelmed at the impact that Wheels for Wells has had around the world"

-       Sarah Fillier, Wheels for Wells organizer

Quick Facts:

• 1,000 children die every day of preventable water-borne illnesses everyday such as parasites, worms, dysentery and diarrhea.
• Lack of clean water prevents children from attending school as they often spend hours a day collecting water or may be too sick from dirty water to attend school.
• Wheels for Wells works to provide communities around the world with access to clean water and has provided wells in countries like Mauritania and Somalia.

Background Information:
www.wheelsforwells.ca
www.worldvision.ca 

What Albertans can do:
Albertans can donate to Wheels for Wells here: http://www.wheelsforwells.ca/Wheelsforwells/Donate.html

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Image with caption: "Riders in Calgary head out during the fifth annual Wheels for Wells fundraiser for World Vision’s clean water projects. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160606_C4808_PHOTO_EN_707237.jpg

For interviews contact: Sarah Bartley - 905-565-6200 x 4054 or [email protected]