Mark Reid loved law and he loved cycling. So what better way to honour his memory than with a ride that raises funds for a law scholarship?<\/p>\n
The inaugural Mark\u2019s Ride was held in September 2015, shortly after Reid\u2019s death on August 13 of that year. Proceeds from the ride \u2013 a suggested donation of $50 or more per rider \u2013 go to a scholarship fund. Applications to the fund are open to Muskoka residents who are entering or enrolled in law school. An award is made the summer following each ride with the winner receiving all of the money raised at the previous year\u2019s ride.<\/p>\n
At $4,000, the funds raised at the 2016 Mark’s Ride<\/a><\/span> were more than double what was raised in the ride’s first year<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n “Mark led a full and exciting life, although cut too short. This is a great way to honour him. Mark loved to help others and I think he’d be very humbled and very proud of this scholarship,” said friend Tracey Christian prior to the cheque presentation on September 3.<\/p>\n A committee chose Michelle Staples for the second annual Mark’s Ride scholarship based on her application. She is heading into her third and final year of law studies at Osgoode Hall at York University.<\/p>\n Staples said she was honoured to be this year’s recipient and hopes to be able to contribute to the scholarship fund in the future to help other law students. “(This support) is critical,” she said. “It’s really difficult to work during law school, you need to put your energy into doing well. This is so significant, I am on such a tight budget. It means so much on so many levels.”<\/p>\n Staples recently secured an articling position at her “dream firm” in Toronto, which practices maritime law.<\/p>\n Several members of the Reid family were at the presentation at the Canada Summit Centre.<\/p>\n “I am proud that it has grown from the first year,” said Reid’s wife, Carrie Campbell. “It’s so clearly touching people, which is what we had hoped. Mark would have loved this. It makes the whole family happy. Hearing from the kids and what it means to them is really important.”<\/p>\n\n\t\t