Motorcycling group gives back

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This article was published 19/06/2017 (3264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A women’s riding group is helping local kids discover the freedom of the road.

Mens Ruin, a motorcycle community based in Winnipeg, donated over 75 bicycles and cash to West Broadway Youth Outreach on June 15. The group recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on May 1, during which time they’ve fundraised for Fort McMurray and several women’s shelters.

Founding member Courtney Kelland says they chose WBYO after speaking to director Ken Opaleke and his assistant Leezann Freed-Lobchuk.

“I phoned around and called a few different places and the reaction I got from Ken and Leezann, like almost in tears talking me about how grateful they would be,” Kelland said.
“They were very accepting of everything. For us, it’s hard because we’re part of a motorcycle community. Not everyone is so welcoming, and they were totally accepting and wanting to have us work with them.”

The group managed to collect the bicycles and money for WBYO in about three months, despite a tragic motorcycle accident that took the lives of one of their members, Jacqueline “Jaxx” Johnson on May 26.

“It’s pretty tough,” Kelland said. “She was a big part of this.”

WBYO youth Aishat Oladeji was the first to receive her new bicycle, which she is very grateful for.

“Her bike had two flats, one of the wheels is broken, and that’s why she’s hyped, because she’s like, ‘Oh my God, I have a new bike I can ride this summer!’” Opaleke said.

He said the entire organization is thankful for the generous donation from Mens Ruin.

“It is huge,” he said. “I thought my reaction would cause them to shy away. My personality is such that anyone who wants to help our kids, that’s awesome, that’s great, and I’m basically doing a jig in my office. I got off the phone and thought I should have reigned it in a bit.”

He said a bike for the kids in his program means more than just being able to get around.
“It’s an opportunity, not just to commute, but to recreationally engage with friends,” he said. “It’s a happy time.

“Mens Ruin, forever when I think of that name, I’ll be grinning ear to ear.”

Kelland said the $3,000 cash is meant to buy a bike for WBYO kids who can’t fit one of the donated ones, and anything left over will go towards another project for kids, such a breakfast club or community centre.

“I thought I was going to be crying a lot more because every time we did a home donation, I was welling up,” she said. “Here, the spirit is a lot more fun.”