Ridin’ For Kids Foundation  set to raise funds for Emerson Wikkerink this June 

Commentator/Courier Photo Submitted

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The 6th annual Ridin’ For Kids takes place on Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to close, starting at the Irvine Hotel. This motorcycle charity ride raises funds to support local children financially and emotionally in the Medicine Hat region. This year’s ride is for a little boy named Emerson Wikkerink.

Emerson is a happy 4-year old in Bow Island who loves spending time with his big sisters and parents. When he was seven months old, his parents noticed he was not able to make eye contact with them. After a long journey of assessments, Emerson was diagnosed with KIF1A Syndrome.

KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND) is a rare and progressive genetic condition caused by mutations in the KIF1A gene, which plays a critical role in nerve cell function. Affecting approximately 600 children worldwide, KAND presents a wide spectrum of symptoms and severity, often varying even among individuals with the same genetic variant. Common symptoms include intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, epilepsy, and motor challenges such as hypotonia, spastic paraplegia, and coordination issues. Vision problems, including optic nerve atrophy and blindness, as well as autism or ADHD, are also frequently observed. With no cure and limited treatment options, families face significant challenges managing this rare disorder, which worsens over time, leading to increased dependence on mobility aids and care.

In the case of Emerson, a set of robotic legs will greatly help his mobility and help him do what he loves best – keeping up with, and playing with, his sisters. The goal for this year’s Riding’ For Kids is to raise funds to help Emerson obtain the robotics that will greatly enhance his quality of life.

Foundation founder Ivan Reimer says, “We are a 100 per cent non-profit registered charity that is volunteer ran and guided by a 10 member board of directors. Every dollar we raise goes to the family we ride for. Rides typically draw in 200-300 motorcycles.”

The rides have a huge impact on the family, volunteers, donors, and community. Ride days are action packed events that involve far more than the bikers hitting the open road. Things kick off with a pancake breakfast. A silent and live auction, live entertainment, and door prizes round out the day. The ride also involves several stops where community members can meet the riders as they take a break.

This year, the Ride for Emerson starts with a pancake breakfast at the Irvine Hotel at 9 a.m. The riders will stop at the Bow Island Legion; Hays Campground for a BBQ and door prizes; Redcliff’s Whose on Third, where live music by the Warehouse Cats will be on; and at the DayzOff Pub in Medicine Hat for the silent/live auction, door prizes, and more live music.

Reimer says, “We are currently fundraising by door knocking, asking for donations as well as silent auction items. Auction items are posted on our Facebook page as they come in. Some of the items so far include two free oil changes from Great Canadian Oil, and a week long hot tub rental from Spa Tacular, as well as many monetary donations.”

“About two weeks after the ride we do a cheque presentation, and it is always quite emotional,” shares Reimer. “There is typically not a dry eye in the crowd.”

Your support is lifechanging for local families, and with every donation or time volunteered, you become part of a child’s miracle. Follow Ridin’ For Kids Foundation on Facebook for updates. Contact the Foundation at ridinforkids@gmail.com to donate cash or items for the auction or to send an e-transfer.