Eleven-year-old St. Albert resident Carter Shields is ready for the ride of his life to raise money for a cause near and dear to his heart.
He is set to cycle 100 kilometres from Lake Louise to Canmore on Aug. 11, raising money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in honour of his mom.
“My mom died of a series of strokes when I was only eight years old,” he said. “I don’t want other people to go through the same pain that I did.”
Shelley Shields, 43, suffered a ruptured aneurism followed by a series of strokes. She left behind her husband of 19 years and three children.
Carter will be riding Highway 1A between Lake Louise and Canmore with his father by his side and the rest of the family following close by in the team vehicle for the five- to six-hour journey.
He had originally hoped to raise $1,000 for his Helping Hearts One Pedal at a Time campaign, but has now upped the goal to $3,000 after receiving an influx of donations from Australia, the United States and Canada.
“I think everyone is just being supportive and I think everyone is encouraging me on,” he said. “I really am looking forward to doing the 100 kilometres. I think just the bike ride itself is going to be a lot of fun.”
Despite his anticipation, he said he is most excited to hand a cheque over to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at the end of his journey.
The idea for the ride came to Shields last year. He and his family have been preparing for it ever since.
“I’ve been going to the gym once or twice a week and I’ve been just riding around,” he said.
He cycled 100 kilometres this summer in the Tour de l’Alberta and said he is ready for Aug. 11.
“It’s hilly, so it’s a bit of a challenge and it’s not just downhill the whole way,” he said, adding he enjoys cycling uphill.
Gearing up for the ride, Shields approached a family friend to assist with the fundraising journey.
Rhonda Romaniuk said she was happy to help.
“It’s really touching. He’s a great kid,” she said. “There are just some kids that have that special quality.”
Shields has a website set up at: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=492758&supId=362866051.
