James Ingram is encouraging residents to eat pancakes in the name of health - and for a good cause.
The Gibsons resident and volunteer firefighter is holding a pancake breakfast at Smitty's Oyster House on Saturday, Aug. 6, to raise funds as he participates on the BC Lung Association's RBC GranFondo Whistler SUPERTEAM.
Ingram will cycle 120 km at the Sept. 10 event, riding the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler alongside 7,000 other participants riding for pleasure or charity.
This will be Ingram's second RBC GranFondo event. Last year, he raised $2,000, with $1,200 raised in just one day.
Ingram is excited to participate as part of the SUPERTEAM again and said the BC Lung Association is dear to him.
"My father-in-law passed away a few years ago from lung cancer," he said. "It was very tough to go through that as a family. And my cousin suffers from cystic fibrosis. She had a lung transplant 30 years ago and she's still alive today.
"I also think it's really important, as a firefighter, to talk about lung health and your environment."
Loosely translated from Italian, gran fondo means "big ride." Rides are often 100 km or more for a large number of cyclists, at various skill levels, who participate. While a gran fondo is not normally a race, top finishers are often recognized.
As for this year, Ingram's goal is to raise $2,500. He also plans to ride faster in the RBC GranFondo this time around.
"Another thing I really want to help the Lung Association with this year is getting more riders," added Ingram. "The association has spots available for people who were not able to join in the race fast enough because it's sold out. So while there are people who may be disappointed and think all the seats are gone, in fact they're not, and the BC Lung Association still has spots."
Ingram is selling tickets for the pancake breakfast at $15 a plate. In addition to pancakes, the plate includes bacon, fruit and coffee as well as juice for the kids.
For more information on the breakfast fundraiser or to make a donation, see http://tinyurl.com/donatebclung or call 604-802-3473.
