PWRDF Ride For Refuge 2021

For the eighth year, Team PWRDF Vancouver participated in Ride for Refuge, an annual fundraising event for the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund. As with last year's event, there was not a large group or official ride organized due to the continuing COVID-19 health protocols. Members of the team cycled on their own or with a friend to achieve their committed kilometres, and a small group walk happened on the official event day of Saturday, October 2.

For 2021, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is raising money for their 'A Light for Every Birth' initiative, supporting the efforts of its partner organization EHALE in Mozambique. This will give women in rural Mozambique the opportunity to go through labour in a well-lit space, even in the dark of night by way of solar suitcases. A solar suitcase is a wall-mounted unit that opens like a suitcase and includes phone charging ports, a portable headlamp and a fetal Doppler to monitor the baby's heartbeat. It is connected to a roof-mounted solar panel. For further information, please read this link: A Light for Every Birth - The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (pwrdf.org)

The Rev. Cameron Gutjahr, Jessica Steele, Jane Dittrich, Liz Macdonald and Peter Goodwin outside of Christ Church Cathedral before commencing their Oct 2 walk.

Team PWRDF Vancouver for 2021 consisted of Jane Dittrich of Christ Church Cathedral, Liz Macdonald, ODNW of All Saints, Ladner, Betty Boland, ODNW of St. Faith's Vancouver, Susan Ohannesian (retired organist of St. Mary's Kerrisdale), the Rev. Margaret Marquardt (Chair of the Diocesan Eco-Justice Unit), Diocese of New Westminster PWRDF Unit Chair Emeritus Peter Goodwin, ODNW of St. James' Vancouver, the Rector of St. John's, Squamish. the Rev. Cameron Gutjahr and Member at Large of PWRDF's National Youth Council, Jessica Steele.

Jane did two rides in Vancouver (one to the North Shore, and one with a friend to Fraser River Park); Liz rode in Ladner 40 kilometres along the Boundary Bay bike trail; Betty and her friend Laurel Fahrni (also of St. Faith's) rode on the Richmond bike paths and dike for 26 kilometres; Susan rode through the westside of Vancouver to Kitsilano beach; Margaret rode various routes through East and Downtown Vancouver. On Saturday October 2, Jane, Liz, Peter, Cameron and Jessica walked from Christ Church Cathedral to Coal Harbour and around the Stanley Park seawall.

So far this year, Team PWRDF Vancouver has raised an incredible amount of $5,895.00, and tax-deductible donations can still be made until October 31 2021 on the Team's fundraising page: PLEASE DONATE TO Team PWRDF Vancouver (e2rm.com)

Liz Macdonald and Peter Goodwin on the Stanley Park Seawall 

IMAGES in the top scroll

• Jane Dittrich at Fraser River Park
• Liz Macdonald on the Ladner dyke bike trail
• Susan Ohannesian at Kitsilano beach
• Rev. Margaret Marquardt in East Vancouver
• Liz Macdonald, Jessica Steele and Rev. Cameron Gutjahr walking at Coal Harbour
• Rev. Cameron Gutjahr, Jessica Steele, Jane Dittrich, Liz Macdonald and Peter Goodwin at Coal Harbour
• Jane Dittrich and Liz Macdonald on the Stanley Park Seawall

Photos: Jane Dittrich