What started 18 years ago as a personal tribute to two brothers has now become a remarkable fundraising legacy.
The Rice Lake Challenge has officially surpassed the $500,000 mark, raising a total of $501,295 to support the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
For organizer Brian Connor, the milestone is far more than a number.
It is a tribute to two older brothers who never had the opportunity to grow old.
Connor, who now lives in London, grew up near Rice Lake in a family of five children. His brothers Kevin and Terry both died as teenagers after battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“My brother Kevin passed away at 16 from Duchenne and my brother Terry died when he was 18,” Connor said.
The years have passed, but Connor has never forgotten his brothers.
Eighteen years ago, when he was 52, he decided he wanted to do something in their memory while helping other families affected by the disease.
“I wanted to do something, so I thought about swimming across Rice Lake and it’s five kilometres,” Connor said.
He enlisted his friend George Bennett to help.
Bennett agreed — and what was supposed to be a one-time challenge turned into an 18-year tradition.
“My kids thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, so I set out to prove them wrong,” Bennett said with a laugh. “But it’s been a lot of fun.”
The Rice Lake Challenge has grown considerably since those early days.
What began with the five-kilometre swim eventually expanded to include a six-kilometre walk and a bicycle ride around Rice Lake.
This year, however, there was one significant change.
Rather than battling the waves, wind and cold water of Rice Lake, Connor and Bennett completed their five-kilometre swim in the pool at the Damian Warner Fitness Centre in south London.
They swam 330 lengths to reach the five-kilometre distance.
Connor said the decision was influenced in part by last year’s experience.
“Last year we spent four and a half horrifying hours in the lake,” he said. “It was cold and windy and wavy and we gulped all kinds of that Rice Lake water.”
The pool offered at least one major advantage.
Bennett pointed out that if they got tired, they could simply stand up.
“We’ve got a lot of kilometres on us,” he joked.
The change in venue didn’t change the spirit of the event.
The six-kilometre walk around Rice Lake remained part of the challenge, while the cycling component once again saw riders tackle the roughly 105-kilometre route around the lake.
Connor singled out Jim Deini, who has been leading the cycling portion for 17 years.
“He’s 70 years old now and that’s not easy anymore,” Connor said. “But he does it. He’s dedicated. I mean, he’s just incredible, this guy.”
And then there is the fundraising.
For Connor, the support over nearly two decades has been overwhelming.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “A lot of people backing us and a lot of support and it’s just awesome.”
What began as a one-year swim somehow kept going.
Connor recalled that after the first challenge, members of the Yes, We Can group organized a golf tournament to support him.
“So I’m going, ‘Okay, well, we’ve got to swim again then, George,’” he said.
One event led to another, and another.
“Then it just snowballed into 18,” Connor said. “Here we are 18 years and almost $500,000. I hoped that we were going to hit today.”
They did — and then some.
The final total of $501,295 means the Rice Lake Challenge has now raised more than half a million dollars for the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
For Connor, the motivation remains deeply personal.
His brothers died decades ago — Kevin in 1959 and Terry in 1975 — but their memory continues to fuel his commitment.
“I just decided to do something when I was 52 and in their honour and just try and raise some money,” Connor said.
He also believes it is time for the disease to be defeated.
“It’s been too long for a cure,” he said. “It’s time. It’s time to have a cure.”
Rick Moss, National Director of Philanthropy for Defeat Duchenne Canada, said the commitment shown by Connor and Bennett has made a tremendous difference.
“When you look at the commitment and dedication these two guys show up with — great friends who’ve done a great job for what we think is a great cause,” Moss said.
Moss noted that progress in the fight against Duchenne depends heavily on research, and research depends on funding.
“We’ve made some progress, and the only reason there’s been progress is because there’s research, and the only reason there’s research is because it gets funded,” he said.
Defeat Duchenne Canada has awarded more than $20 million toward research.
“And these guys have raised over half a million dollars for this event,” Moss said. “Unbelievable. A huge accomplishment.”
The Rice Lake Challenge has also developed another important relationship over the years through Tyler, a local young man living with Duchenne.
Moss said the connection between Tyler, Connor and Bennett has become an important part of the event.
At 28, Tyler continues to participate in the walk, something Moss described as inspiring.
“He’s just an amazing young man and somebody that we’re just thrilled to be supporting,” Moss said.
For Connor, returning to the area where he grew up remains special.
Although he moved from Cobourg to London when he was 20, he said the community still feels like home.
“Home is where the heart is, and there’s a lot of heart in Cobourg,” Connor said.
He still has lifelong friends in the area, even if years sometimes pass between visits.
“When I see them, it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “We look at each other and that’s it. It’s love all over again.”
That same love has helped carry the Rice Lake Challenge for 18 years.
And now, with $501,295 raised, Connor and everyone involved have reached a milestone that once seemed almost impossible.
But Connor isn’t ready to stop.
“We’re on the 18th, so we’re going to try 20 maybe,” he said.
Two brothers who died far too young continue to make a difference — one kilometre, one dollar and one year at a time.
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
