Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary/Online Contest

From the City of Williams Lake:

25 years after his Man In Motion World Tour, and in preparation for his 25th Anniversary Relay which will re-create the Canadian-portion of his original Tour, Rick Hansen is looking for residents of Williams Lake to help cover the 12,000 kilometre trek across Canada. One man in motion will be represented and celebrated by many in motion; as 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others will walk, wheel or run in the Rick Hansen Relay when it begins on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador and concludes on May 22, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The 25th Anniversary Relay is planned to pass through Williams Lake in March 2012.
To find and recognize these participants, the Rick Hansen Foundation launched an online public contest that opened April 5, 2011 at http://RickHansenRelay.com, allowing Canadians to enter to win a spot for themselves or nominate a worthy individual to participate in the Relay as a Medal-Bearer.

“This is an exciting time in our 25th Anniversary celebration and for Canadians across the country, as we connect the nation and provide the opportunity for people who are making a difference in the lives of others to be recognized for their accomplishments and to share their stories,” said Rick Hansen, President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “This is the start of a movement for 7,000 Canadians to help inspire the nation and live by the credo that anything is possible.”

As part of the Relay, residents of Williams Lake can enter the online contest to participate in the Relay. To tell the story of Canada’s difference makers, the online contest is open to: individuals who are creating a more accessible and inclusive world, youth-leaders who are encouraging their generation to embrace positive change, persons who are protecting the environment or any Canadian who is seeking ways to improve the lives of others. While Hansen will not be wheeling across the entire country as he did 25 years ago, he will be present at a number of stops throughout the country during the nine month 25th Anniversary Relay.

“We are really looking forward to the Relay coming to Rick’s hometown in March 2012. Individuals who would like to help plan an “End of Day” Celebration Event in Williams Lake are invited to the first planning meeting on Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 am at City Hall,” says Mayor Kerry Cook.

“We are incredibly excited about welcoming the Anniversary Relay as Canadians and the world celebrate the 25th anniversary of his amazing Man in Motion tour,” says Cook. “Williams Lake is so proud to call Rick one of its own – he truly is a community hero.”

As the Relay will connect the country from coast to coast, the symbol that links each participant to the next will be the Rick Hansen Medal, designed and produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. From the same Ottawa facility responsible for medals of the Canadian Forces, the RCMP and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the Mint has designed and handcrafted sterling silver Rick Hansen Relay Medals.

Every Medal-Bearer will receive their own medal to permanently remember the way in which they personally added to the momentum of the 25th Anniversary Man in Motion World Tour.
25th Anniversary Relay Fast Facts: Begins on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador and concludes in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 22, 2012.

Fully recreates the original Man In Motion cross-Canada tour, spanning 12,000 kilometres from coast-to-coast. Will travel through over 600 communities, visit every capital city and all provinces and territories and reach more than 70% of the Canadian population. Will engage approximately 7,000 participants – difference makers in their own right – who will collectively cover an average of 40 to 80 kilometres a day, making their way across the country passing a singular Rick Hansen Medal to the next participant. All Canadians (13 years and up) will be able to apply to become a participant through the online contest at http://RickHansenRelay.com.

For a list and map of all 600 communities the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay will visit, high resolution images and video from the Man In Motion World Tour, and images and specifications of the Rick Hansen Medal, please visit http://RickHansenRelay.com.