For nearly two decades, Brian Connor and George Bennett have done the same thing year after year — they show up.
They take to the water, rally their communities and raise money for families living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
And on August 22, they will do it again.
Ahead of the 18th annual Rice Lake Challenge, the two London men completed their annual 5-kilometre swim at the Damian Warner Fitness Centre in London. The swim was moved indoors this year for safety reasons, but the change in location did nothing to diminish their determination.
Over 18 years, Connor and Bennett have helped raise nearly $500,000 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research and support — and they are hoping this year’s Rice Lake Challenge will push that total across the half-million-dollar mark.
It is an extraordinary milestone built not through one massive gesture, but through nearly two decades of commitment.
Year after year, they keep coming back.
Their story is exactly the kind of grassroots determination that has helped drive the mission of Defeat Duchenne Canada.
The organization traces its roots to John Davidson, a father who pushed his son Jesse across Ontario in his wheelchair to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. What began with one family’s determination has grown into a national movement.
Today, Defeat Duchenne Canada is Canada’s largest funder of Duchenne research, having invested more than $20.3 million in research projects around the world.
But behind those millions are families, volunteers, donors and community champions who refuse to accept Duchenne as simply a fact of life.
Brian Connor and George Bennett are two of those champions.
For 18 years, they have turned personal determination into action — and their annual challenge has become a powerful reminder that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference when they refuse to give up.
Defeat Duchenne Canada says it is in awe of what the pair have built and is inviting the community to come out and celebrate their incredible achievement.
The 18th annual Rice Lake Challenge takes place Saturday, August 22, at Gore’s Landing on Rice Lake, with a 9:00 a.m. start.
After nearly two decades in the water, Connor and Bennett are once again hoping the community will join them in making a splash — and helping them finally cross that $500,000 fundraising finish line.
To donate, visit: https://defeatduchenne.akaraisin.com/ui/ricelake2026
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
