Mark Reid loved being a lawyer and loved his community. Now his memory will be honoured with an annual scholarship for a Muskoka resident going to law school.
The first annual Mark’s Ride was held last September, just weeks after Mark died. “Everyone wanted to do something and they asked me what I thought about doing a bike ride to honour him, but with proceeds going to something he cared about,” said Mark’s wife Carrie Campbell.
The ride, which starts at the Oxtongue Lake Community Centre and goes through Algonquin Park, was one organized annually for ten years by local cyclist Jim Brendish. “Cycling was a passion of Mark’s and he loved doing this ride. So Jim said, ‘take this ride and turn it into Mark’s Ride.’”
Proceeds from the ride – a suggested donation of $50 or more per rider – go to the scholarship fund with the scholarship winner receiving all of the money raised at the previous year’s ride. Applications for the first scholarship are now open to Muskoka residents who are entering or enrolled in law school this September.
Applicants just need to write a 500-word letter telling the scholarship committee about themselves – their experiences, their hopes for the future and their interests both in and outside of law – and submit it to [email protected]. The committee will select the applicant they feel is most worthy based on the values Mark found most important. The deadline to apply is June 30 and the scholarship will be awarded in August.
Registration for the second annual Mark’s Ride on September 11, which is being organized by Campbell and a group of his close friends, opens May 1 at marksride.ca.
“Last year’s ride was hastily arranged – Mark died mid-August,” said Campbell. “It has already reached more people this year – I’ve reached out to his old law school colleagues from Western and they’re planning to get a group together, and local lawyers, too.”
You don’t have to be a lawyer or even an avid cyclist to participate, though. “The diehards go from the community centre all the way to the end (Algonquin Park’s east gate) and back, but because it’s straight through Algonquin Park you can just go as long or short as you want and then turn around and come back.”
There will be a post-ride barbecue and t-shirts will also be available this year to contribute to fundraising.
Learn more about the ride and the scholarship at marksride.ca.
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