What is Ride for Sight?

Ride for Sight is the longest running motorcycle charity fundraiser in Canada; the first ride began in 1979 in Central Ontario.

Since its inception, Ride for Sight has been hosted in many different regions, annually (including Minden, Peterborough, Fenelon Falls, Collingwood).
In 2008, eight Ride for Sight events will be enjoyed in seven provinces across the country (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Maritimes, Newfoundland, Central Ontario and Northwestern Ontario); each regional Ride has its own unique features.

Annual Ride for Sight weekend celebration events are supported in part by generous corporate sponsorship and are organized by volunteer Ride for Sight Planning Teams.

While Ride for Sight participants are primarily comprised of motorcyclists -- volunteers, fundraisers and supporters also include non-motorcyclists and families affected by retinal diseases.

Ride for Sight is the single largest private fundraising initiative for vision research in the world.

To-date, Ride for Sight has raised more than $16 million in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the only organization in Canada whose sole mandate is to fund research for blindness caused by retinal degenerations.

How Ride for Sight Works
Ride for Sight participants collect donations (some, all year round) from friends, colleagues and family; those who raise a minimum donation of ($50 to $75 depending on region), are eligible to participate at a Ride for Sight Celebration event.

The Celebrations feature a variety of activities including: bike games, live entertainment, show n’ shines, a vendor marketplace and more.

Participants also have the option of riding in a motorcycle parade from a select location to the celebration site; takes place on the Saturday of the weekend celebration; Central Ontario Ride is the largest motorcycle parade in the country.

Ride for Sight’s Cause
In 2007, Ride for Sight nationally raised $1.3 million dollars for The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the only organization in Canada dedicated to funding research into the causes, treatments and cures for retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

100% of donation money collected by riders and volunteers in online donations and donor books is given directly to The Foundation Fighting Blindness – Canada.

Since 1979, Ride for Sight has helped fund important vision research through the Foundation Fighting Blindness at universities and teaching hospitals across Canada, including The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Universities of Calgary, Alberta and Lethbridge, and the University of Western Ontario.

“Not many people know that Ride for Sight motorcyclists and their family and friends have been the largest community funding Canadian vision research for more than 25 years,” said Sharon Colle, National Executive Director, Foundation Fighting Blindness. “Their commitment to fund research into the causes, the needed treatments and ultimately the cures for blindness is inspiring.”

Join Ride for Sight today!
Ride for Sight has thousands of fundraising Riders and friends across the country. You can pick up donation books and information at the Ride for Sight booth at motorcycle shows and many of our participating motorcycle dealers. You can also call Ride for Sight toll free at 1-800-461-3331, or email us at rfs@ffb.ca, and we will be happy to mail you a donor book.

Remember, the easiest way to reach out to your family, friends and co-workers is through online fundraising! Just click on the "Register" button at the top of this page to start fundraising today.

Help Rosie
Four-year old Rosie McDougald is slowly losing her sight due to an incurable eye disease. Her parents, Natasha and Campbell from Calgary, are filled with hope that one day a treatment or a cure will be found. Because of your donations, Rosie and thousands of other children have a shot at one day receiving the gift of sight. Please start fundraising today! Check out: www.rideforsight.com to fundraise online or call 1-800-461-3331 or visit your local dealer to get a donor book.