Fat bike event raises money for children with autism in late teenager’s name

First annual ‘Ride for Jack’ Close to 60 fat bike riders in Corbeil were hitting the trail system Saturday morning to raise money for autism in a late teenager’s name.

Close to 60 fat bike riders in the communty of Corbeil, east of North Bay, were hitting the trail system Saturday morning for a good cause raising money for local kids with autism so they can go to summer camp.

The bike riders pedaled off in the first annual Ride For Jack in honour of the late Jack Lyons who lived with autism. Jack tragically died in April last year at the young age of 17.

He was known for his work with his dad, Mark, to fundraise thousands of dollars for One Kids Place Children's Treatment centre in North Bay and also for raising awareness of autism.

Jack loved fat biking.

“I'm here to build that. I have to build on that for our kids coming up behind Jack,” Mark said at the ride.

Donations collected are being set aside to allow kids to attend One Kids Place's autism summer camp free of charge.

"That's big for us. Having this and having something for the kids to do,” said Mark.

“We know the funding isn't there. I know the panic behind the scenes about funding.”

Mark’s friends Rod Bilz and Connie Hergott helped organize the ride.

"The whole Lyons family is really a stand out in the community and we all know and love their family,” said Bilz.

“This just seemed to be a good way to celebrate Jack's life."

Many of the camp’s participants have difficulty taking part in community camps, as they would need to be with a support person in order to attend. This challenge becomes a high cost burden for families.

Officials with One Kids Place told CTV News its autism camp is dedicated to providing an experience where families and caregivers do not have to worry about their child and their support needs.

"Through the summer, we work with kids aged four to 18. We will support upwards of 60 kids in the camp. Themes look like outdoor safety, Lego, robotics, cooking. There's a whole bunch of really fun opportunities,” said Jessie Reid, the centre’s volunteer coordinator.

At the time of the ride, $17,000 in donations had been collected. Please can still donate here, by including the comment “Ride for Jack.”

To see more photos of the event, follow One Kids Place on Instagram.