Memorial ride planned for man killed on cycling fundraiser for his sick granddaughter

The family of a Winnipeg man killed while riding in the U.S. to raise money for his sick granddaughter, will be planning a memorial ride in his honour, according to a report on Global News.

Petit was aiming to ride to Hot Springs in the Black Hills of South Dakota, to raise money to help pay for medication that his three-year-old granddaughter, Éveline, required. She was born with renal failure and had a kidney transplant earlier this year. The grandfather left Winnipeg on June 4.

However, just a few days into his trip, something awful happened. Petit was hit from behind by a cargo truck on the Interstate on June 9.

Annual Ride of Silence in Montreal commemorates cyclists who have died in collisions

Petit’s son, Marquis, said that his dad had already reached his goal of $20,000 for Éveline, just days before he was killed by the motorist.

“He always told me ‘I’m never going to understand or be able to be in Éveline’s shoes, so I want to push myself harder than ever,” Marquis said. His father’s trip was going to be almost 1,400 km. Petit was a veteran endurance runner, and had trained hard to be ready to ride 100 km daily.

Marquis did add that his father was able to donate both his kidneys and his liver after his death. “He was able to give the gift of life to three other people through this tragedy,” Marquis said.

Donations continue to flow in, with the total now over $31,000 as of Tuesday.

The 65-year-old truck driver who hit Petit has since been charged. Details are still in the works for the ride, but the family hopes it can become an annual event

If you’d like to donate, you can visit CycleEveline.ca