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In The Fall of 2007 an idea was born. An inspiration conceived from wanting to help Canadians who have been touched by cancer, after witnessing a colleague’s annual selfless fund-raising campaign. What hatched was a charity event called the “Mortgage Alliance Rally of Hope” and it would go on to change the lives of everyone involved with it and has since raised more than $1,500,000 for cancer research.
On July 10th, 2007 the original four riders left Horse Shoe Bay, B.C. and began the ten day trek to Halifax, N.S. They traveled an ambitious 7,000 kilometers and hoping that something eventful might happen the group brought along a film crew to document the journey. It would turn out to be a serendipitous idea. Following the ride, the full length feature film (Fate, Hope and Thunder) would be seen by many Canadians.
The next Rally happened in 2010 giving the riders 24 months to recover from their first white knuckle excursion. However, this time the event was extended to include St. John’s, Newfoundland. 7,700 kilometres in 12 days seemed like a good idea at the time but when the riders left British Columbia they were met with rain and hailstones the size of the helmets the riders were wearing. The unpredictability of Canadian weather has become infamously predictable. Yet despite mechanical breakdowns and soaked senses the caravan of riders prevailed and managed to raise more than $100,000. In the end, nothing could dampen the spirit of the riders as they were greeted with special fund-raising events and hundreds of supporters in each province.
”The unpredictability of Canadian weather is infamously predictable. Yet despite challenges the caravan of riders prevailed and managed to raise more than $100,000 in 2010.
Michael BecketteM3 Ventures
In 2011 the Mortgage Alliance Rally grew and more riders, supporters, volunteers and special events were scheduled to cheer the group from coast-to-coast. It took 14 days but the riders made the cross-country journey with minor incidents and one bad stomach ache. It’s true that road food is not for the faint of heart or stomach. All reached St. John’s safely and made a pact to return the following year. The lines between courage and blind optimism can be so blurred at times.
As future rallies came and went, organizers and riders thought they knew what to expect. And that’s just when things become ‘unexpected.” Like the scare of a wobbly rear tire one rider was challenged with. The onslaught of rain that lasted for two straight days. The usual freezing cold weather across northern Ontario, running out of gas on the highway a few different times or even when the fog, which as they warned can be as thick as pea soup, actually was. Despite the obstacles, passing cars could hear more laughter, more joy and more bantering as the riders rode with a new self-confidence and appreciation for their teams of supporters, organizers and volunteers raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy cancer charities.
The last MAC Rally of Hope held in 2018 was not only successful, it was also a very emotional event for the organizers, volunteers and riders. The Rally of Hope had encompassed many years and many miles of great experiences enveloped by the beauty of our country, its people and amazing personal development.
This year The Mortgage Alliance Rally of Hope is evolving to become the Mortgage Professionals Canada Foundation Rally of Hope. With the unified support of our entire industry we hope to increase our presence and commitment to raising awareness and funds in support of The Canadian Cancer Society, a nationally recognized charity with active provincial chapters and commendable programs and services for patients, researchers and education about prevention of all types of cancer.
