Cycling for Sight

If you’ve ever biked up a long hill, you know it sometimes takes a little extra motivation to keep you going. For a group of Ottawa-area cyclists last summer, that inspiration came from a sense of purpose because they were biking to raise money for eyesight.

Over three days in August, 13 cyclists from a group called “Kanada Riders” biked from Parliament Hill in Ottawa to the outskirts of Montreal and back again. Before they rode, they collected pledges from friends and family, raising more than $6,000 for Operation Eyesight.

“That sense of riding for something bigger than ourselves kept us motivated through the toughest climbs and longest hours,” says the ride’s organizer, Lokesh Siddaramanna.

Lokesh and several of his teammates first heard about Operation Eyesight in 2024, when our President & CEO, Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, did a presentation to their dragon boat team. When Lokesh proposed the fundraising ride to the cycling group, they were instantly on board because of the importance of eyesight in everyday life.

“We were truly blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm of our friends, families and colleagues,” says Lokesh. “People weren’t just donating, they were cheering us on every step of the way.”

Their sense of purpose also carried them through. He adds, “During those tough uphill stretches, we often reminded ourselves why we were riding: for the people whose lives would be transformed by the gift of sight.”

Thank you Kanada Riders for your incredible support!