LUNENBURG - A group of six cyclists left Ontario last week bound for Lunenburg on a fundraising ride for multiple sclerosis dubbed TO 2 NS 4 MS.

 The first leg of the trip originated in Toronto over the Victoria Day weekend when Candace McCurdy, Tom Eisenhauer, Liz Fitzhenry, Nancy Eisenhauer, Andy Smith and Melanie MacPherson, all members of a group known as CC Riders, left the Ontario capital for Kingston.

 The event resumed June 16 when the six riders departed for the Lunenburg Yacht Club, where they are expected to arrive June 28, just in time for "The Great Big Novie Welcome Party."

 The fundraiser is organized by Mr. Eisenhauer, who, inspired by his brother-in-law Larry Creaser of Chester who suffers from the disease, first organized CC Riders in order to participate in the 2007 Ride for MS.

 Mr. Eisenhauer says on the MS Society of Canada's web site that during that event, he raised $10,000 for the society, with the team as a whole collecting $110,000 in total contributions.

 In an effort to surpass that total, the 1,500-km TO 2 NS 4 MS journey was organized as a prelude to this year's Vineyards and Valleys Ride for MS tour which is slated to take place in the Annapolis Valley July 26 and 27.

 The agenda for the group's arrival in Lunenburg begins at noon, June 28, when the cyclists will depart White Point Beach for a 65-km journey to LaHave.

 Between 2 and 3 p.m., they will arrive at LaHave Bakery before boarding the ferry, then travelling via the Grimm Road to the Lunenburg Yacht Club, where they are expected to arrive between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

 That evening a gala celebration highlighted by a barbecue, dance and silent auction will be held at the club in order to recognize the completion of the riders' journey as well as to raise money for the MS Society.

 Alan Creaser, co-captain of the 60-member CC Riders, says that as of last week, nearly $100,000 has been raised in support of the MS Society by the group so far this year.

 "Tommy has probably raised over half of that," Mr. Creaser said. "We haven't even started our fundraising yet this year." Anyone who may be interested in joining the cyclists for the last leg of their journey is welcome to join them at any time. That invitation also applies to the Vineyards to Valleys tour in July.

 For more information on the CC Riders and TO 2 NS 4 MS, visit http://ccriders4ms.ca.

posted on 06/24/08