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Ride for Riley surpasses parents' hopes

Ride for Riley surpasses parents' hopes

For Louise Mercer of Conception Bay South, the revving of motorcycle engines each summer is a tribute to her son and daughter.

The siblings died of brain tumours more than 10 years apart; daughter Alex at the age of nine in August 2002, Riley in December 2013 when he was 15. Friends of the family started the Ride for Riley in 2013 while Riley was still alive, and the fundraiser has grown every year.

"That's all we have left now, is to keep their legacy living and to keep their memories alive," Mercer told CBC.

Saturday's balmy weather had Mercer pleased that the ride in C.B.S. surpassed her goal of 50 riders, and raised $18,000 — well above the $7,800 raised last year.

All proceeds from the ride go to the Dr. Jack Hand Legacy Foundation, which helps families with children diagnosed with oncology or hematology-related illnesses. Hand was Alex's oncologist, who died himself in 2012 of a brain tumour, with the foundation set up in his memory by his wife Tina Hand.

"That foundation is very important to us, because we know just how beneficial [it is] to have the Jack Hand Foundation on your side when your child is going through an illness," she said.

Mercer said the support she and her husband Bernie Mercer — and the ride itself — have received has been overwhelming.

"We've been struggling since we've lost Alex. Our life has been tough, but our community has stood behind us," she said.

"When Riley got diagnosed, we reached out to our community with our story, and in telling them our story, they really stood behind us, and still continue to stand behind us today. And they come out to support us in whatever we do."