Huron County duo ready for cross Canada cancer crusade

A due from Huron County will bike across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. CTV London’s Scott Miller reports.

Tom Harnett from Goderich and James Durrell from Walton will be spending the next four months biking across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

“I’m trying to make an impact. Like there’s just so many people that are affected by cancer and every one in three people will get it. So many families are affected by it. I really hope that we can make an impact doing this trip,” said Harnett.

The charitable journey was Harnett’s idea. The Goderich native is a two-time cancer survivor himself, surviving both testicular and prostate cancer, but it was a recent loss that really solidified his plan.

“I lost my stepfather on May 10th. He died of brain cancer. It’s now a personal mission,” said Harnett.

Harnett and Durrell aren’t just biking across Canada. They are leaving Walton on June 1 and heading to the east coast before heading all the way west to British Columbia. That will make the trip almost 10,000 kilometres long.

“We’ve got people all across Canada. Friends that we’ve met networking, hitchhiking before, so we’re going to stay at a lot of friends’ houses. We’ve got a tent, too. We’ve got all our own gear. We’re not too worried about anything happening. Like, there’s so many good people out there, and kind hearted people that are probably going to help us on this journey,” said Harnett.

The duo has reason to be confident. This won’t be either of their first time biking across Canada.

“We’ve been across Canada now nine times. Three times for charity. So this is going to be our fourth time for charity. We are extremely excited about it,” said Harnett.

The duo will be sticking to trails mostly. Taking the Goderich to Guelph Trail, then the Waterfront Trail to Quebec, and the Trans-Canada Trail to Newfoundland, and then back out west.

“I’ve tripped to B.C. like eight times. I did a solo bike trip out east, and they all went really well,” said Durrell.

“We’re both super excited for this tour. We can’t wait to get on the road,” said Harnett.

Harnett and Durrell say they’re both fully self sufficient, so 100 per cent of the money raised will go to the Canadian Cancer Society. They hope to raise $10,000.

You can donate and/or follow their progress online.