SOS Volunteer's Ride Abruptly Halted
Anas Cheema’s bike ride across Canada to raise funds for SOS Children’s Villages encountered a roadblock this week after his bike was stolen.
The trip began in Victoria BC on June 14th and Anas had crossed the Saskatchewan / Manitoba border and made his way to Winnipeg when his bike was taken while he stopped at a McDonalds on Wednesday July 10th. The theft took place at the McDonald’s on the 800 block of Leila Avenue, at around 10:30pm.
The bike is a touring bike with dark blue and silver accents with Napoli written on the frame, as well as two rear-mounted and one front-mounted saddlebag.
Originally from Pakistan, Anas came to Canada two years ago as Economics student at the University of Victoria. He is also the President of the University’s International Student Association. While at home in Pakistan, Anas had the opportunity to volunteer for SOS Children’s Villages and was able to see firsthand the improvement the organization was able to make in the lives of orphaned and abandoned children.
To satisfy his desire to travel, and with the goal of raising money for a cause he believes in, Anas embarked on a bike ride across Canada in support of SOS Children’s Villages Canada. He has raised about $1,400 for SOS Children’s Villages Canada so far.
Despite the major setback, depriving Anas of not only his bike but his clothes, camera, phone, and banking cards, the trip is far from over. Anas is determined to continue on his cross-country journey, hoping to reach St. John’s before September. Indeed, he wrote on his ride's Facebook page: “All I am gonna say is I am not gonna give up. I want to continue my bike ride and I will fundraise with even more rigour and energy. No one can stop me. I will fundraise to get new bike and get on the road as soon as possible. Please help me to continue my bike ride.”
If you have information on the stolen bike, please contact Winnipeg police at 204-986-2848. For more information on the incident, read CTV Winnipeg's coverage. For more information on Anas Cheema’s journey and fundraising efforts, visit Anas' Facebook page.