BARRHEAD - The Barrhead and District Family Support Services (FCSS) new transportation program received a welcome boost.
On Aug. 22, the Barrhead Red Knights donated $900 to the FCSS.
The Red Knights raised the money through their annual motorcycle run.
As the name suggests, the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club is a motorcycle club for firefighters past and present.
It was founded in 1982 when a group of firefighters got together in a local motorcycle shop in Boylston, Mass. and started talking about the fact that the police had established a motorcycle club, the "Blue Knights" there was still no motorcycle club for firefighters. Shortly after the initial discussion, the Red Knights were born.
The Barrhead chapter was formed roughly six years ago by former Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) chief John Whittaker, a long-time motorcycle rider.
Red Knight president, former BRFS firefighter and current town councillor Don Smith said the club raised the funds during its annual Carl "Hollywood" Hulsemann Memorial Ride on July 27.
In 2022, the Red Knights renamed the poker run in honour of Hulsemeann, an avid motorcycle enthusiast who served as a member and captain of BRFS for 17 years.
This year, the event saw 23 riders ride to Fort Assiniboine, then to Blue Ridge before heading to Carvel.
"The weather wasn't the greatest when we started, but in the end, it turned out to be quite a nice day, and we still managed to raise $900 for FCSS, " he said, adding he believes the weather was one of the reasons they did not garner as many riders as they hoped.
Smith also noted the ride date may not have been the most fortuitous, saying they chose the date as it was the Saturday closest to Hulsemann's birthday, but it was also the date for the Barrhead and District Agricultural Society's demolition derby, which over 3,000 people, some of which were likely motorcycle riders.
In past years, the event has attracted over 50 riders.
Smith said Barrhead-area motorcyclists have a long tradition of conducting charity rides, dating back over 30 years, and the Red Knights see their poker run as a continuation of that tradition.
"Every year, we choose a charity to give to," he said, adding last year, the Red Knights selected Barrhead Community Victim Services as the recipient. "Barrhead's FCSS does so much; they were an obvious and popular selection."
Transportation program
Although the Red Knights did not earmark the funds for a specific FCSS program, executive director Karen Gariepy said they would use them for their new transportation program.
The program, which is just in its infancy, helps Barrhead-area seniors (55+) with transportation challenges to attend medical appointments and other necessary outings, such as grocery shopping.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
