Cycle of Hope to visit Brandon today
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Habitat for Humanity’s Cycle of Hope fundraising tour is scheduled to land in Brandon this afternoon during a seven day tour of southern Manitoba.
Up to 50 cyclists will arive through the afternoon, along with support volunteers, and will be staying overnight at Brandon Vineyard Community Church. The riders will then head out to Killarney tomorrow in a group down Highway 10.
The ride through Brandon will help cyclists witness the fruits of their labours, Brett Bourne, manager of signature events at Habitat for Humanity, said.
Cyclists are seen during the 2025 annual Cycle of Hope to Kenora, Ont. This year, cyclists are touring southern Manitoba, with an overnight stay in Brandon. (Photo by Tom Thomson/courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)
“It’s just putting the whole picture together for the riders,” Bourne said. “The cyclists can see exactly where the efforts are going.”
The Cycle of Hope is an annual fundraiser that supports the construction of homes through the charity Habitat for Humanity. Cyclists will visit Franklin Street in Brandon and observe a number of homes that have been built through the charity, as the Brandon area has a concentration of homes through a partnership with the City of Brandon.
“It ties the entire ride back to the main focus of Habitat; we’re working with our chapters throughout the province, where they’re building homes and influencing families and trying to get homes built and set up,” Bourne said. “It just ties the entire ride back to the main focus of Habitat.”
Along the cycling tour, the group will also visit a groundbreaking at a site in Morden, and similary will visit a family poised to own a separate Habitat home in Killarney.
The cycle this year is 840 kilometres, visiting communities including Steinbach, Morris, Winkler, Morden, Glenboro, Brandon, Killarney and La Salle across seven days of riding from Aug. 3 to Aug. 9.
A family in Winnipeg, made up of Solomon and Mehret, and their two daughters, has been chosen this year as the beneficiary of the Cycle of Hope. Fundraising will go towards purchase of materials and labour that will be used to help build their Habitat for Humanity home.
The fundraising goal for the ride this year was set at $150,000. Eighty per cent of this year’s goal had been raised as of last week. Fundraising efforts will continue until November.
Solomon told the Sun his family is grateful to have been chosen.
“I cant express it to be honest. For me and for my family, it’s a big opportunity and a blessing,” he said. “We are happy.”
Solomon will visit with the cyclists when they return to Winnipeg at the end of the ride. Solomon said that he will take that chance to express grattitude.
“When I meet them … I will say thank you for their support, you know. That’s all I can say,” he said. “They are the really example for a unity. When the people are in unity, they can build up a good family.”
Solomon and Mehret live in Winnipeg, following a journey that started in Eritrea, passing through a number of countries, and leading to their eventual reunification in Manitoba’s capital city.
Their church community and family are slated to help them complete 500 labour hours required as part of the habitat home ownership program, Habitat for Humanity wrote in a biography of the couple.
“For Solomon and Mehret, a Habitat home means far more than a house,” the organization wrote. “It is a place where their daughters can feel safe, where they can finally put down roots, and where a long and difficult journey can give way to a beautiful new beginning: homeownership.”
Thirty-five riders were registered for the cycle as of last week. The riders pay a registration fee of $999, and help fundraise for the event through their friends and family. Their registration included the fully-supported seven day cycling trip, with meals, snacks and beverages, accommodations, transportation, a T-shirt and a jersey.
Virtual riders were able to register for $25 and join the ride from home.
Solomon and Mehret, and their two daughters, are the beneficiaries of this year’s Cycle of Hope. More than $122,000 had been fundraised in the event the week before the cycle kicked off. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)
Bonnie Boerchers, community engagement manager for the Brandon chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said last week she was hoping the tour through the city would promote the event and spur interest next year.
“I haven’t heard of anybody locally that’s taking part at this time,” she said. “I do hope that coming through Brandon will will spike the interest for next year for some riders.”
Since it’s beginning in 1994, the total fundraising from the Cycle of Hope has reached roughly 4.5 million. The ride last year toured to Kenora, Ont.
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com