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Letter: Mom of Penticton’s Rex Gill thanks everyone for huge turnout to memorial ride

‘I am sure Rex and Mike were watching from above and smiling down on us’
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This is my thank you letter for the Rex Gill and Mike Courtney Memorial Ride 2021:

The day started out with beautiful sunshine that continued through the day, good food and for me… Amazement!

There were about 60 motorcycles ready to ride and Christopher McGowan saged all the bikes and the riders that wanted to before we left for a safe ride. Christopher and Will also made a hot breakfast for us all, by donation, at the Ooknakane Friendship Centre in Penticton.

Matthew Baran held a meeting for all participants before we left, and Monty Joseph sang and drummed a song for safety for all. Without the Ooknakane Friendship Centre and their wonderful staff this ride would be near impossible for us to have without their hard work. Also, Crystal W. for being my heart, my right hand and all her hard work.

My son Art Gill had the honour of riding his brother Rex’s motorcycle in the memorial ride. It was very emotional day for us. Many happy tears were shed on Sept. 25th.

First special thank you to Vantage Powersport and Marine for making sure my bike was ready for the ride as mine is old like me. Second to all the volunteers that generously offered their time to help with this years’ ride. Third is to Konquers Motorcycles and for being our ride destination and all the help and donations.

A BIG thank you to all the businesses in Penticton, Summerland, West Kelowna and Kelowna for their generous donations.

People that donated hand made jewelry. Other special donations: Art Gill – memorial picture of Rex, Marie Nobles – R.I.P. keychains and memorial face masks, Mike Takacs – KN95 masks for door prizes, Maria Armstrong – red native blanket.

Proceeds of RIDE 2021 for donations:

Ooknakane Friendship Centre - $500

Kelowna Gospel Mission - $1163.55

Central Okanagan Food Bank - $1,025

There were 111 registered participants for the RIDE 2021 from Oliver, Keremeos, Penticton, Summerland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Beaverdell, Merritt, and Lumby. Thank you all for your support!

Again, thank you all for your generous donations of goods and time to make a special day even more special and helping worthy causes. Thank you to Global BC and Penticton Western News for covering this event.

I am sure Rex and Mike were watching from above and smiling down on us.

Hope to see you all next year on Sept. 23rd.

Marie Nobles

Penticton

READ MORE: Over $2,600 raised at 3rd Rex Gill memorial ride from Penticton to Kelowna