from Northumberland Today on August 17, 2016
The eighth annual Brian Connor Rice Lake Challenge for Defeat Duchenne Canada has a new twist this year.
In fact, there are a few new items to add along with the swim across Rice Lake on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Of course there will be the usual 4.5 kilometre swim across Rice Lake, along with the 31 kilometre paddle, the 101 kilometre cycle around Rice Lake and Tyler’s Walk, which is either three or six kilometres.
This year, things are looking up – way up.
Rob Tinney from Tindall Tree Service will be perching himself approximately 40 feet above the ground for 24 hours in a tree in Victoria Park overlooking Cobourg beach.
Also, Tammy Storring and her friend Lydia Teichroeb will walk 25 kilometres from the Cobourg courthouse on William Street to the Gores Landing Dock starting at 6 a.m. on Aug. 27 and ending at the Gores Landing dock.
Brian Connor’s Rice Lake Challenge is in honour of his two brothers Kevin and Terry who died from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Tinney has taken part in the last three rides around Rice Lake and he’s not giving that side up, but wanted to add something new.
“A little on the crazy side,” Tinney said as he looked up at what will be his home for 24 hours.
“We did a survey of all the trees and the geometry within Victoria Park and it is the most realistic so I’m not swinging in the wind,” he said with a smile.
The idea stemmed from the gentleman that spends three days on a roof for charity in Peterborough.
“I thought if he can spend three days on a big roof, I can spend 24 hours on an eight foot by eight foot platform,” Tinney said.
Tinney said he will be starting on Friday, Aug. 26, at 6 a.m. where he will be raised to his perch.
He’ll gladly speak to visitors and will accept donations on-site or online.
“I’m hoping people will come down and cheer me on and it’s all about awareness of Duchenne’s disease,” he said.
The goal for the tree sitting is $3,000 but he said anything raised is appreciated.
“There were a lot of hoops to jump through to make the event happen,” Tinney added.
Cobourg arborist Rory Quigley as well as other town staff. had to approve the idea.
“I hope to make this an annual event, I would love too. When I see Tyler and what a wonderful person he is, he’s bound to a wheelchair, so if I can be bound to a platform for a day – if it raises money to help other kids – very small price,” Tinney said.
After Tinney is “rested” up from sitting for 24 hours, he’ll be joining Sharon Lynn-Weese and other cyclists as they peddle around Rice Lake.
Lynn-Weese said she has done the ride for a number of years and it usually takes approximately four hours.
Describing it as a “nice route,” she said, “of all the routes I’ve been on it’s one of the hardest because it’s like a roller coaster always up and down the hills. I’m tired when I get back, but it’s a very enjoyable ride.”
All proceeds will be donated for research through Defeat Duchenne Canada.
The swim is expected to be completed at the Gores Landing dock at approximately at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 27.
Connor was a member of the Cobourg Cougars junior hockey team and a group of former Cougars known as the “Yes We Can” group hold a number of charity events and organize an annual golf tournament and dinner/dance after the swim.
The amount raised not including this years events is close to $250,000 of which 100% of donations go to Defeat Duchenne Canada.
For more information or to register for Tyler’s 3 km, or 6 km Walk to Defeat Duchenne or the 100 km Ride to Defeat Duchenne visit defeatduchenne.ca.
There is also a golf, dinner and dance at Dalewood Golf and Country Club. For more information call Terry at 905-373-0540 or email at cstv@sympatico.ca.
pfisher@postmedia.com