Get Your Motor Running with the 2013 Mortgage Alliance Rally of Hope

In The Fall of 2007 an idea was born. An inspiration conceived from wanting to help Canadians who have been touched by Cancer after witnessing a colleague’s selfless annual fund raising campaign. What hatched was a charity event called the “Mortgage Alliance Rally of Hope” and it would go on to change the lives of everyone involved and has since raised more than $700,000 for cancer research.

On July 10th 2007, the original four riders left Horse Shoe Bay B.C. and began the ten day trek to Halifax N.S. traveling an ambitious 7,000 kilometers. Hoping that something eventful might happen the group brought along a film crew to document the journey. It would turn out to be a serendipitous idea. Following the ride the full length feature film would be seen by thousands of Canadians and today, Hope, Fate & Thunder remains as popular a Canadian documentary as ever.

The next Rally happened in 2010, giving the riders 24 months to recover from their first white knuckle excursion. However, this time the event was extended to include St. John’s Newfoundland. 7,700 kilometers in 12 days seemed like a good idea at the time. But when the riders left British Columbia they were met by rain and hailstones the size of the helmets the riders were wearing. The unpredictability of Canadian weather has become infamously predictable. Yet despite mechanical breakdowns and soaked senses the riders prevailed and managed to raise more than $90,000. In the end, nothing could dampen the spirit of the riders as they were supported by special events and hundreds of supporters that greeted them in each province.

In 2011, the Mortgage Alliance Rally grew and more riders, supporters, volunteers and special events were scheduled to cheer the groups from coast-to-coast. It took 14 days but the riders made the cross-country journey with minor incidence and only one bad stomachache. It’s true that road food is not for the faint of heart or stomach. Yet all reached St. John’s safely and made a pact to return the following year. The lines between courage and blind optimism can be so blurred at times.

By 2012, the Rally and its riders knew what to expect. And that’s just when things can become ‘unexpected.” Like the wobbly rear tire one rider was challenged with. Or the onslaught of rain that lasted for two straight days of the journey. Or the fog, which as they warned can be as thick as pea soup actually was. And yet, despite these obstacles, passing cars could hear more laughter, more joy and more bantering as the riders rode with a new self-confidence and appreciation for their teams of supporters and volunteers. $125,000 was raised.

How about Reverse?

Always looking to improve the event and seek new adventures the 2013 Mortgage Alliance Rally is doing it backwards this year. Leaving on July 13th and making the westward journey to Port Moody B.C. What will this mean and how will it affect the riders? The best is still unwritten. Join us and let’s make history.

This year The Mortgage Alliance Rally of Hope is increasing our commitment to raising awareness and funds in support of The Canadian Cancer Society a nationally recognized charity with commendable programs and services for patients, researchers and prevention of all types of cancer.

We’re starting in St John’s, Newfoundland on July 13th and heading to Vancouver, British Columbia with an ETA of July 25th and a fundraising goal of $150,000, which will exceed the $600,000 mark for this event.

The Adventure begins in ...