Calgary motorcyclists ride for addiction recovery

An annual fundraising event in Calgary is raising awareness for addiction recovery programs while also bringing the community together.

Fresh Start Recovery’s 16th annual event, Ride for Recovery, an incredible testament to the city’s spirit of resilience and community, involved hundreds of motorcyclists in Calgary and happened bright and early Saturday.

The riders came together to raise awareness and funds to help individuals and families recover from addiction.

While riders and volunteers celebrate recovery, they aim to reduce the stigma behind the disease.

Bruce Holstead, the executive director of Fresh Start Recovery, explains what’s most important to him over the 16 years of hosting the event.

“It means the world to create an awareness throughout the community that addiction has a solution,” he said.

Earlier in the week, he explained they spend the entire day “building community, meeting community, engaged in community,” and trying to “break down the stigma around addiction and understand that it has no barriers.”

“It’s people’s families, it’s their loved ones, it’s their mothers, their fathers, your neighbour, your colleagues,” he told 660 NewsRadio.

Riders competed in a 12-stop scavenger hunt in and around the city, with additional funds raised for addicts in recovery with a 50/50 draw along with a chance to win a Harley Davidson, valued at over $65,000.

With files from Todd Kaufman