On October 2, 2012, 144 teams made up of 830 riders from 49 real estate companies participated in this year’s Toronto Real Estate Ride for Diabetes Research. A total of 26 REALTORS® and friends from Bosley Real Estate joined in on the fun and raised over $5,000, all in support of JDRF, the leading global organization focused on Type 1 Diabetes research whose goal is to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease.
This event is an offshoot of JDRF’s Ride for Diabetes Research, an event started 24 years ago by renowned local restauranteur Peter Oliver, who is now the National Chair for the rides across Canada. The event has grown over the years and competition has become fierce between its corporate challengers, all vying to raise the most money and demonstrate the most team spirit while participants take turns pedalling their hearts out on stationary bikes. Seven years ago, Vanessa Oliver, Principal and Broker of Record with Regent Street Commercial Corp Real Estate Brokerage, followed in her father Peter’s footsteps and launched the Real Estate Challenge component of the Ride.
REALTOR® Zach Henley has been part of the Real Estate Ride Committee for the past four years and has participated in the ride since 2005. He leads the recruitment of participants from Bosley Real Estate’s four Toronto offices. “Getting people to participate has been relatively easy because everybody personally knows or is related to someone with Type 1 Diabetes,” says Zach.
For Zach, involvement in the annual event is personal. “This event is important to me because Type 1 Diabetes is something that I have to deal with every day and it is something that my wonderful father and I had in common,” he explains. My Dad passed away in 2007 and I’ve named my team ‘John J. Henley’s Team’ every year since. I am happy to volunteer time to help in getting people involved and in organizing teams for the event every year.”
This year, the Real Estate Ride has raised $421,000 to date and is still receiving funds. Organizers hope to meet their goal of $430,000 by the end of the year.
If you are interested in starting a Real Estate Challenge in your town or city, please contact Danielle Bensons at JDRF at dbenson@jdrf.ca or 1-877-CURE-533.
Pictured (left to right): Back row: Robert Doyle, Valerie Baldwin, Warren Wickens, Brian O’Donoghue, Sean Mahoney, Brian Torry, Christan Bosley, Mark McLean, Lilette Wiens, Amy Medal, Ryanne McGee. Middle row: Kimball Sarin, Lisa Peressini, Johanna Pigeon, Stacie Thompson, Trina Kehoe. Front row: Debra Edwards, Zach Henley, and Sam Meredith.
