JASON SETNYK
The Children’s Treatment Centre’s annual Bike-A-Thon has returned, this June, inviting community members to cycle, run, walk, and raise funds in support of counselling services for child abuse victims and their families.
Participants can take part anytime between now and June 30. Sponsored by BMO Bank of Montreal, the 2026 Bike-A-Thon will once again be held as a virtual event. Participants can choose their own location, route, activity, and fundraising goal while taking part individually or with family members, friends, or colleagues.
For Peter Asquini, co-chair of the Bike-A-Thon, the fundraiser represents a long-standing community commitment to supporting essential services. “I’ve been the chair/co-chair since 2008, so I’ve been doing this for a little while,” said Asquini. “It’s actually been a great honour to be involved with the Children’s Treatment Centre and helping them raise funds to maintain operations, given that the operations are just so critically important to this community.”
Since its inception, the CTC has provided counselling services to thousands of clients, and Asquini said the need continues to be reflected in the response from residents and supporters. “The services are desperately needed in the community, and I think it’s reflected in the support that we receive from the community,” he said. “We are just so honoured that the community steps up and supports the Children’s Treatment Centre in such a great fashion.”
The Bike-A-Thon has continued to grow despite challenges faced by many fundraising events in recent years. Over the past four years, the event has raised more than $100,000 annually, including a record $160,000 in 2025. The event has changed significantly since BMO first became involved. Before the pandemic, the Bike-A-Thon was traditionally held as a large one-day community event. The virtual format now gives participants more flexibility while helping direct more resources toward services.
“The pandemic changed all that, and what we’re seeing is rather than having people tied to one day, now they get to choose their own time and their own activity,” said Asquini. “It makes it much more convenient for those that are participating.”
He added that moving away from a large event also means reducing expenses. “The cost of that breakfast now goes right back into clinical services here,” said Asquini. “Those funds now are flowing right back into the clinical services.”
Asquini said the Bike-A-Thon’s continued success comes from the CTC’s connection with the community. “This Centre strikes a chord with our community,” he said. “The community cares deeply about the work that’s done here at the Centre. Every time the Centre has asked, this community has rallied.” BMO has supported the event since 2008, with involvement from employees across several Eastern Ontario branches. “It can be pretty easy just to write a cheque, but when you get people involved and helping, I think it brings a whole lot more meaning to the sponsorship,” said Asquini.
Several awards will once again recognize outstanding contributions. The Chairman’s Award will go to the clergy member who raises the most money, while the President’s Award recognizes the highest non-clergy fundraiser. The BMO Bank of Montreal Award recognizes the second-highest fundraiser, and the David Murphy Award honours a dedicated volunteer/fundraiser.
Asquini noted the clergy team raised approximately $90,000 of last year’s record total, but emphasized that every contribution matters. “Every dollar is important,” he said. “Whether it’s $5 or $10 or $50 or $100, every dollar counts when it comes to the clinical services here. The success of this organization has been its broad-based community support.”
Participants can download sponsor sheets from the Children’s Treatment Centre website or contact the Centre by email at ctc@ctcsdg.ca or by phone at 613-933-4400. Donations and pledges must be submitted by Friday, July 3, at 4 p.m. for participants to qualify for awards.
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