Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fanelli to cycle with VIP’s at Tour de Waterloo and raise awareness for Head Strong

Press Release

The Kitchener Rangers hockey club and Tour de Waterloo are pleased to announce that Ben Fanelli will join other sports and community builder VIP’s and cycle at this year’s 2011 Tour de Waterloo event on Sunday June 26. Fanelli will join 2008 Olympic Cyclist Leigh Hobson and lead all cyclists for the first “neutral” 5 km start before the riders head out on their respective routes. Fanelli is raising awareness for Head Strong: Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness.

Fanelli said today “I am thrilled that the Tour de Waterloo is giving me the opportunity, to help spread awareness for Headstrong. The Tour is a first class group and it will be an honour to ride with those involved. The ride is going to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it."

Malcolm Steven, Chairman of the Tour de Waterloo said “We’re very pleased that Ben can join our VIP group and although our charitable partner is Grand River Hospital Foundation – Architects of Care program, Head Strong has a number of key connections to the Tour. One in particular is the importance that all cyclists wear an approved cycling helmet while riding at all times. The second is funds from the Tour are earmarked for mental health care programs at Freeport Hospital from Architects of Care. Helping Ben raise awareness for Head Strong and Brain Injury awareness in the KW community is something we are proud to have the opportunity to do”.

The 2nd annual Tour de Waterloo is an Ontario Cycling Association charity sanctioned road event in support of Grand River Hospital Foundation - Architects of Care program. Main sponsors include; Research in Motion, Libro Financial Group, Columbia Lake Health Club, Zehrs Markets, Ziggy’s Cycle, Todd Kutz – Remax, Waterloo Cycling Club, Coronation Dental Specialty Group, Westmount Signs and Hog Tails Barbecue Restaurant.

The event is being held on Sun. June 26 at Columbia Lake Health Club on Hagey Blvd in Waterloo with 3 routes to choose from; 130 km, 70 km or 40 km. This years official starter is Mayor Halloran and confirmed to date VIP riders along with Ben and Leigh include: Peter Mogg – 3 time National Cyclocross champion, Iain Klugman – President and CEO of Communitech, Max Blouw – President & Vice Chancellor Wilfred Laurier University, Feridun Hamdullahpur – President & Vice Chancellor University of Waterloo, Peter Braid – MP Waterloo, Brent Thomlison – Deputy Police Chief Waterloo Regional Police Services, David Fedy LLB McCarter Grespan Beynon Weir & Chairman “Ride with Lance”, Steve Farlow – Executive Director Schlegel School of Entrepreneurship Wilfred Laurier, Mike Morrice – Executive Director Sustainable Waterloo, Brent Ellis – Waterloo Cycling Club President, Dr. Susan Elliott – Dean Faculty of Applied Health Sciences University of Waterloo and Jeff Nesbitt – VP Government Relations and External Programs Agfa Healthcare.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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