This May 30 from 1pm to 8pm, Toronto Islands will host one of the most fun, exciting, and inspiring fundraisers in Canada. The 1st Annual Virgin Mobile/Bikes Without Borders Bike for Africa on beautiful Toronto Islands will transform Toronto Islands into a rural district in Malawi - for 2 hours participants will live the life of an African community healthcare worker, with challenges and tasks such as delivering 'medications' to remote communities, providing HIV/AIDS 'education', and other community care support services. At the end of the bike/walk event, we'll have a community picnic dinner and will entertain you with some of Toronto's hottest local bands, including Mr. Something Something, the WitHouts, and Samba Squad.

Although the cause of saving the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS in Malawi is serious, the emphasis for participants will be on fun and hope - the hope that you will be providing to communities and people in Malawi. (please note: no knowledge of Malawi or HIV/AIDS issues is required - your tasks will consist of delivering and picking up task cards to stations along the route) 

Where your money will go

This unique fundraiser provides participants the opportunities to make a tangible, direct contribution towards healthcare in Malawi. Every dollar raised will go towards purchasing new bikes and bicycle ambulances for Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) in Malawi. Our 2009 goal is to raise $100,000 to purchase 400 new bikes and 100 bicycle ambulances. 

Providing a bicycle or bicycle ambulance to a CHW allows them to reach up to 5 times as many patients, reach remote communities with patient support and HIV/AIDS prevention education, and do their work more efficiently and with greater impact.  400 bikes and 100 bicycle ambulances will allow our network of CHWs in Malawi to reach an estimated 15,000 additional people with lifesaving medication, prevention education and additional support services.
 
Because the costs of the event are being covered by our event partner Virgin Mobile, every dollar raised - including your registration fee - will go directly toward our Pedal Powered Hope project in Malawi. Every $150 raised purchases a new bike for a CHW, allowing them to reach up to 30 additional patients. Every $400 raised will purchase a bicycle ambulance, allowing CHWs to bring ambulance services to remote communities currently not served by healthcare services.  This is especially critical in remote rural areas that have little to zero transportation infrastructure; in many of these communities, ill patients are unable to reach healthcare services or get to hospitals.