Local News - Thursday, July 13, 2006 @ 11:00

Chad Weiman says he will never forget the incredible and emotional four years he spent volunteering at a Camp for young children suffering from cancer.

The Sudbury resident hit the road Wednesday evening on his red and black Yamaha V-Star motorcycle as more than 30 members of the Sudbury Wings Motorcycle Club and three officers from the Greater Sudbury Police Service paid a visit to Camp Quality in Monetville.

Weiman, who had girlfriend Melanie Paquette clutching his sides from the passenger seat on their way down Hwy. 69, is making his first visit to the Camp since volunteering as a companion from 2001-2004. "It is amazing how sick these kids are, but how strong their spirits are," the 23-year-old said. "You don't recognize how sick they are from the way they act."

The Sudbury Wings made its 13th trip in 14 years to deliver an annual fundraising cheque to the local Camp Quality and give motorcycle rides to Northern Ontario kids battling cancer.

The first Camp Quality was founded in Australia in 1983 by Vera Entwistle to provide a program of support for children with cancer and their families.

The first Canadian Camp was founded at Priceville, Ont., in 1988 and six exist in the country today.

Entwistle was to attend when the group arrived as the Monetville site celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Wings' chapter director, Robert Lalonde, said it is an exciting time for club members, but more so for the children.

"There is great anticipation," said Lalonde, who happens to be Weiman's uncle. "We have been told many times it is the highlight of the kids' week."

Hogs of all sizes and colours packed the parking lot of the south-end Canadian Tire and proceeded to filter out and cover a 300-metre stretch of Hwy. 69 southbound from Sudbury.

OPP cruisers and Sudbury Police bikes joined in with sirens wailing and lights flashing to escort the group in attention-grabbing style. One car even passed at a leisurely clip to ask The Sudbury Star what all the commotion was about.

Life-long Wings member Jim Campbell said the tradition dates to the club's inception 14 years ago as a way to give back to the community.

Members contributed nearly $2,000 this year after a series of fundraisers including barbecues, bowling nights, pool nights and yard sales. The motorcycle rides are a popular bonus.

"It was perfect for us and exciting for the kids," Campbell said of the annual event and fundraising.

"They have big costs down there because they have (to employ) doctors and nurses. In fact, some of the kids are too sick to go on the rides."

However, with all the excitement the day has to offer, members of the club said it takes a couple hours to unwind when they return later that evening.

"It can be a real tear-jerker," Campbell said. "I remember my first year when I took a little girl for a ride on my motorcycle but I found out the next year that she died not so long after that."

Weiman, who was introduced to the volunteer experience through a friend's dad, understands the difficulty of continuing on a permanent basis with children suffering from a sometimes fatal disease.

One of the kids he knew during his time at Camp Quality passed away the following year.

"It was very difficult," said Weiman, who plans on returning with the Wings every year to Camp Quality.  "It is so hard to see someone so young, so sick."