A Thornbury man, along with several other area residents, have committed to conquering cancer by participating in The Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting The Princess Margaret Hospital.

Sid Dickinson will join thousands of other men and women in a history-making ride on June 21-22.

He and his Team “Take the HAYES Out of Cancer” will take part in a two-day ride of over 200 kilometres from Toronto to Niagara Falls with a night of camping in Hamilton.

Funds raised by the riders will support breakthrough research and the discovery of new cancer therapies at Princess Margaret.

Dickinson and his Team were inspired to take on this challenge because of their friend Hayes Jackson, a Collingwood resident who was recently diagnosed with Brain Cancer.

“I have watched how Hayes has fought the fight of his life with amazing courage and with grace, humour and compassion," Dickinson said. "He has inspired me to remember the important things in life -- family, friends and sharing with others.”

The team is also riding for another courageous friend, John Band, a Georgian Triangle Real Estate agent and The Blue Mountains resident. Band has been battling cancer for several years and is, again, being put to the test by this terrible disease.

Together, with  help from the community, Dickinson and his team said,  "we want to show both these courageous men and all the others that Princess Margaret helps, that we're behind them". 

Anyone who would like to show support, by sponsoring the the team's ride, can make their donation by clicking the link provided and go to the Team site Take the Hayes Out of Cancer or call (416) 815-RIDE (7433) and sponsor participant number 523133-9 with a pledge to put Team Hayes and Band over the top.