Over 30 bikers came together in Grand Barachois to ‘Ride for Autumn’.

Autumn, who is now nine years old, was born at 31 weeks, nine weeks premature, along with a number of complex and life-threatening conditions. Those include a hole in her heart, one lung and a condition called tracheal stenosis.

On May 2, she travelled to Toronto, Ontario with her mom to visit family, but while there, she contracted a virus, and was admitted to Sick Kids Hospital;

After a number of tests were performed, Autumn was diagnosed with a condition called Chiari Malformation.

Autumn underwent surgery and has been working to regain her mobility at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto.

Josh Guay was asked to help to organize the Ride in the hopes of raising money to help bring Autumn home to Grand Barachois in time for the school year to begin in September.

“The ride was planned over the course of three weeks. I ended up reaching out to fellow riding clubs around the area, including the Drifters, and I asked them to give me a hand with the route to keep everybody safe and together,” Guay says.

The ride was held on Monday, with over 30 riders meeting at the Gagnon Beach campground and departing from there.

“We share a passion, especially when it comes to sick children. There’s just no way that anybody can say no. We’re about helping the community as well as enjoying the passion of other bikers. Knowing that you’re doing it for a good cause, it just makes it that much more enjoyable, ” Guay says.

Just over $4600 was raised through the ride and a number of other activities including a 50/50 draw, barbecue, dance and other donations.

Guay also shared good news with us. He says Autumn is expected to return home on Friday.