PARRY SOUND - On a whim, paramedic Sean Elvy decided to enter a team into the 25th annual Ride for Heart held Sunday, a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. That whim has raised  $10,539 in just 55 days.
Elvy, along with teammates and fellow paramedics Alex Needleman and Luke Legault raised the funds through boot drives, a barbecue and bake sale, a dance, and going door-to-door.
“Because we’re doing (the ride) through the EMS Pad Challenge, all the funds we raise stay in the Parry Sound District,” said Elvy last week. “I thought it was a great cause and all the money goes towards public access defibrillators.”
Each defibrillator costs approximately $2,000. Elvy added the existing defibrillators in the district will eventually need replacement batteries and pads, as well as training on their use, which the funds can also pay for.
The Parry Sound team was among 14 other EMS teams that participated in the event. Of them, Elvy said, the local team placed second for fundraising, beating the Nippissing EMS team by just $4. The first place team, the Niagara EMS Peddle Angels, made up of more than 20 participants, raised $19,671.
It took Elvy about two-and-a-half-hours to complete the 50 kilometre ride.
“There were a bunch of hills on the Don Valley Parkway, but not as bad as Highway 124,” said Elvy of where he trained for the ride. “We’re going to do (the ride) every year. It’s a great cause. Even if I can’t ride, I’m sure that someone can ride in my place. Over $10,000 for public access defibrillators, that’s unreal and it all stays in our area.”
On behalf of his team, Elvy thanks the volunteers that helped out with the boot drive, the dance, barbecue and bake sale.
“And a big thank you to the communities in the district for all their support,” he said.