Sellers RV hosted and sponsored the kickoff to Jarrod Russell’s ninth Great Cycle Challenge to raise money to fight kids’ cancer.
The proceeds from the sale of burgers, hotdogs and pop on Saturday boosted Russell’s fundraising total to $2,276 towards his goal of $30,000.
“We’re really happy to have him here. We’re glad we can help out; it’s a good thing to do every year,” said Sellers’ general manager, Chris Bettcher.
“We supplied all of the pop and the burgers, hot dogs and buns and set up the barbecue. The goal is to just be able to roll in here and get right at it.”
The 48 year-old Russell plans to ride 1,300 kilometre in August on his recumbent bike to raise donations for the SickKids Foundation on his cycle challenge website link.
“Isn’t that unbelievable,fantastic. What a great charity. He does a fantastic job so much dedication. “We’re just happy we can help out,” said Bettcher.
For Russell, the challenge is all about helping kids.
In 1980, at the age of four, the Lloydminster resident was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour. The treatments left him with a weak left side and he developed epilepsy, but motivated to help others.
On his challenge website profile, he writes he aims to share his story and use his strengths towards the SickKids Foundation.
“All the stories that the kids posted makes me sad— to do a little better,” said Russell.
While his training rides got off to a slow start this year due to inclement weather, he and his sister, Lana Lane are already looking forward to a 10th anniversary ride next year.
“We talked a little bit about a glow ride, doing the bike ride in the dark and having people with all these glow lights on their bikes,” said Lane.
“The 10th year seems the one he really wants to do. Today, we are doing the barbecue fundraiser which is the kickoff.
“We just look forward to the community supporting and sponsoring him like they’ve always done every year.”
Lane says Sarah Sellers and her team have been a really strong supporter of her brother over the years.
“Not only do they provide all of the barbecue supplies for us today, they just, every year phone me and say ‘are we doing the barbecue again’,” she said.
There was lineup for burgers and drinks on what was a hot, smokey Saturday.
“It’s an opportunity for us to bring community together, bring some people to their parking lot to see some of the trailers, but Sarah went to school with Jarrod,” said Lane.
“She’s got a big heart, so we are very grateful to Sellers’ team for supporting Jarrod every year.”
Boston Pizza will also hold a fundraiser for Russell’s challenge on Sept. 26.
Russell is currently following the footsteps of his cousin from Airdrie who started a hot sauce company with a side hustle of own.
His new Uncle Lefty’s Poppin’ Peppers jellies is supported by his entire family growing peppers.
Russell is known as Uncle Lefty by his cousins and nephews so the product name stuck.
“We took the peppers and we harvested them into this pepper jelly,” explained Lane.
“So this Poppin’ Pepper company has kind of evolved and now people are ordering our pepper jelly.”
“It gives Jarrod something to do and all the money we raised last year from the sale of jellies went toward the Great Cycle Challenge.
“That’s how he wanted to give back and for us to increase the sales and make some money to donate.”
Russell is marketing the jelly on his Facebook with family plans to commercialize it.
“We haven’t gone online yet with a business but it’s growing so we know we have to make more,” said Lane.
Read More: Cancer fundraisers touch hearts
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