It is said the beaver has a unique ability to impact the surrounding landscape, second only to humans, but unlike the average beaver, the Growling Beaver is also devoted to helping people with Parkinson’s live their lives to the fullest.
Started in 2015, the Growling Beaver Brevet is an annual social (non-race) cycling event inspired by its extraordinary co-founders and their vision for people with Parkinson’s to “live well today.”
Their most recent event on October 1st in Collingwood, Ontario wrapped up an impressive fundraiser with cyclists raising more than $335,000 (and counting!) in support of Parkinson’s and contributing to the more than $2.8 million raised to date.
Evan Siddall, co-founder and diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, has cycled on the gravel roads and rolling hills of the scenic Beaver Valley for years. Like Parkinson’s, each journey is unique and can take a person in many directions. Despite muscle fatigue and soreness, navigating one’s path requires mental strength (and perhaps a low deep growl) and people coming together to support each other.
“Each and every one of you is helping me and many others with Parkinson’s ‘live well today’ and keep the disease at bay,” says Evan Siddall of the event’s participants and donors. “And it is still possible: eight years after my diagnosis, I rode my butt off at the 8th annual Growling Beaver. I rode 103 km and I felt truly great. You are the reason why. I am deeply grateful to all and humbled by your support. It means more than you know.”
Although the ride is wrapped up for 2022, you can still make a lasting impact by donating to the event today. All funds raised support Parkinson Canada and the over 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson’s. And mark your calendar for the next Growling Beaver Brevet on September 30, 2023, where you can challenge yourself and join this incredible community to support Canadians like Evan.
For more information on Growling Beaver registration or donations, please visit Parkinson Canada.
The Growling Beaver Brevet is a social ride and annual fundraiser that brings together 250 cyclists of all abilities to ride 40, 60, 100 and 200 km routes through the Beaver Valley at the height of the fall colours. Highlights from 2022 are viewable in the 2022 Growling Beaver online photo album.
If you or your donors supported Growling Beaver with an online donation, a member of our Donor Care Team will reach out to provide you with your charitable tax receipt by the end of October. If you have any questions, please email growlingbeaver@parkinson.ca.
Thank you for your support!