Ride a Horse and Grant a Wish! Provincial Wish Trail Ride Reaches 16th Year

BURNABY, BC, May 1, 2012 /CNW/ - This summer will mark the 16^th anniversary of the Provincial Wish Trail Ride in support of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Chapter. With more rides, more volunteers and more wishes that need granting, this year promises to be the best yet. The Provincial Wish Trail Ride has raised over $900,000 since the first ride 6 years ago for The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada - BC & Yukon Chapter.

The late Walter White and a dedicated group of volunteers started the Wish Trail Ride over sixteen years ago, growing the event year after year. The concept was simple: collect pledges in support of Children's Wish and enjoy time out on the trails. Through Walter's vision and the hard work of countless volunteers, the ride has grown into a province-wide event

All those involved recognize just how much each and every ride meant to Walter. "My dad's passions were horses and Children's Wish and I want to continue this dream for him," says Irene White, Walter's daughter. Each ride is unique in size and scope, but all share the same goal of having fun out on the trails and raising funds to help grant wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

"The ongoing success of the Provincial Wish Trail Ride is a wonderful part of Walter's legacy," explains Amber Dyce, Chapter Director of The Children's Wish Foundation - BC & Yukon. "It represents fundraising at its very best because participants get to enjoy the great outdoors and at the same time support a tremendous cause,".

This year's ride schedule includes: Kamloops (May 12), Oliver (May 26), Kelowna (May 26), Twin Creeks - Duncan (May 27), Williams Lake (May 27), Silver Creek - Salmon Arm (May 27), Campbell Valley Park - Langley (June 2), Vancouver - Southlands (June 3), Nelson (June 16) and Whonnock - Maple Ridge (June 24) with more dates and locations to be confirmed later.

Children's Wish is seeking volunteers, participants, donors and sponsors. Those interested are asked to contact Kim Antifaeff, Fundraising Coordinator at 604.299.2241 or email [email protected] or to visit: www.wishtrailride.ca.

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with a life threatening illness. Since 1984, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to over 18,000 children and their families.

This year, the Foundation expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes and is proud to have never refused a wish to an eligible child, and with the help of volunteers and generous donors, is able to grant nearly three wishes every day. Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of a particular child and family. The Foundation is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

Image with caption: "Jessica Palmberg - Kelwona Wish Trail Ride (CNW Group/The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120501_C2918_PHOTO_EN_12970.jpg

Adrian Dhalla
Communications Coordinator
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada - BC & Yukon Chapter
Phone: [phone] x 224
Toll-Free: 1-800-267-9474
Email: [e-mail]