11th Annual Event Supports Adaptive Sports, Ski Racing Safety
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (Sept. 15, 2016)—Fundraising for the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations surpassed $400,000. The ride supports the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to empower those living with paralysis through sport and recreation and to improve ski racing safety.
More than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists, along with more than 100 volunteers participated in the event that was held on September 10 in Middlebury, Vermont. The total amount raised was $425,000.
“This year’s Kelly Brush Ride was a huge success both in how much fun was had by all riders and the record amount we raised to enable the Kelly Brush Foundation to do even more to improve the quality of life for those with paralysis and allow us to continue to raise the bar when it comes to safety in ski racing, “ said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation.
The ride was made even more inspiring by the impressive effort of handcyclists Geoff Krill of Woodstock, New Hampshire, and Mike Wade of Silver Lake, New Hampshire, who completed the entire 100-mile route.
Funds raised from the event go towards improving the quality of life for those with paralysis through grants for adaptive sports gear and helps to improve ski racing safety with equipment such as netting to line race courses. With the ride as its signature fundraising event, the Kelly Brush Foundation has raised more than $3 million, purchased more than 300 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and helped keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety.
The ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team in 2006 as a way to buy an adaptive monoski and handcycle for team member Kelly Brush, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. The next year the ride was opened to the public, with proceeds used to support the foundation’s mission. The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, SkiRack, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Cup Supply, Murphy Realty Company and many other generous sponsors.
About the Kelly Brush Foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated empowering those with paralysis through ownership of adaptive sports equipment and improving safety in the sport of ski racing. The foundation has raised more than $3 million, helping to purchase more than 300 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety. Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with paralysis. www.kellybrushfoundation.org
About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations: VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours worldwide, including destinations throughout Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, Chile, South Africa and the United States. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities and on-tour vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes roundtrip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities and select Canadian cities for all overseas vacations. In 2015, VBT was rated by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” for the sixth consecutive year.