A memorial motorcycle ride will start in Airdrie to help raise funds for the Calgary Distress Centre and to remember Patricia Dawn’s legacy. 

Pauline Staples, the older sister of Patricia, is the Organizer of the memorial motorcycle ride and talks about her younger sister. 

“My sister Patricia, was 41 years old when she passed away in February of this year. It was a suicide and that was mental health related. She was a nurse who also had a psychology degree. She worked on the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver. She was a nurse at Insight, which was the legalized injection site. She was on the front lines dealing with people with mental health issues. That was her passion in life.” 

Staples says the memorial ride will begin early Sunday morning. 

“We're actually starting in Airdrie on August 7. We're gathering at the Gas Plus on Veterans Boulevard. Our meeting time is set for 11 am and we'll have kickstands up for noon.” 

Staples went on to talk about the main reason behind the memorial ride. 

“She was my hero, I want to keep her memory alive, and to continue some of the good work that she did.” 

According to Staples, they chose to donate any funds raised to the Calgary Distress Centre because it really matches the work that my sister did in her own community. 

“Their primary goal is to help people in crisis and with suicide prevention. They've got outreach teams that are just amazing. They've got 24-hour distress lines and crisis lines for people to call. They're even running a pilot program in association with 911.” 

Staples went on to talk about the fundraising part of the ride. 

“We had some patches made so we're selling those. We're asking for a minimum donation of $15 each. We've got two designs and we'll have those with us at the start of the ride.” 

The riders will ride Highway 567 west before turning onto Highway 22 south to reach Cochrane. After returning to Calgary, the group of bikers will travel south on Glenmore Trail to Fish Creek Provincial Park, where a picnic will be put up so that people can eat, drink, socialize, and remember Dawn. 

To make a donation or reach out visit their Facebook page. 

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