They Came. They Raced. They Raised.

People with and without disabilities raced to raise funds
for people with spinal cord injuries

Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario held its 14th annual Toronto Wheelchair Relay Challenge yesterday morning, Sunday, September 20, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. 49 teams took to the track and raised over $235,000.

Teams were made up of 8 people with and without disabilities. Each member of the team was required to complete one lap around the track equal to .75km. 1,000 people were present at the event. The following is the Winners’ List for the 2009 year:

Top Individual Pledge Raisers
Third Place: Kevin Rogers, CPA Super Supporters – $6,685
Second Place: Peter Athanasopoulos, Thompson Rogers Hurricanes – $8,310
First Place: Jill Hopkins, Jill's Pals – $13,295

Top Community Team Pledge Raisers
Third Place: Fast Forward – $3,485
Second Place: CPA Super Supporters – $13,465
First Place: Jill's Pals – $14,296

Top Corporate Team Pledge Raisers
Third Place: Harris Wheelers Beaters – $11,316.40
Second Place: Harris Wheelers (Harris Steel Group) – $11,651
First Place: Thompson Rogers Hurricanes – $12,930

Fastest Teams
Third Place: NeuroCore Physiotherapy & Pilates – 16:51.49
Second Place: Rolling Stones (Carranza Barristers and Solicitors) – 16:34.57
First Place: Cassels Brock Lawyers – 15:43.47

Legal Challenge Winner: Thomson Rogers Hurricanes
Most Determined Team: Argonaut Rowing Club – Adaptive Programme
Most Team Spirit: Flower Power Wheelers

The day was fabulous both in terms of crowd spirit and weather. Festivities began with a warm-up, followed by the race and then a complimentary lunch for participants. Joanne Smith and Rich Vanderwal emceed the event. Also featured were onsite activities and entertainment for spectators including clowns, face painting, a stilt walker, Charlie Chaplin, bubble play, an inflatable bouncer and the Blue Thunder Argo Cheerleaders.

“Thanks goes to all of the people involved... either on a team, a volunteer, a sponsor, or a fundraiser. Everyone's contribution helps the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario support people with spinal cord injuries,” said Lynn Mineque, the Event Manager.

Many thanks to the Toronto Wheelchair Relay Challenge provincial sponsors including: The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, TD Bank Financial Group, Pace Law, Kino Mobility and Air Canada. Thanks also to our generous local sponsors Harris Steel Group, Yorkdale, Lerners LLP, Torkin Manes LLP, Fireman Wolfe LLP, Baxter Structures, Expedia.ca and Progressive Case Management.

For more information about this event, please visit www.cpaont.org/media.

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Contact:
Gillian Lynne-Davies
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario
(416) 422-5644 x 212