Cycling team rolls out plan to support Mackenzie Health Foundation
Team Revolution has raised $1.7 million for Humber River Hospital

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 24, 2016
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The fundraising campaign for Vaughan’s new hospital is rolling along, but it may pick up speed now that a team of cycling enthusiasts plans to throw its support behind the cause.

Team Revolution, which has raised about $1.7 million for Humber River Hospital, wants to add Mackenzie Health Foundation and Sunnybrook Hospital’s Project Saving Legs to the organizations it supports.

Formed in 2011, the team consists of more than 85 novice, intermediate and elite cyclists who compete in a Granfondo race in Italy every two years.

While members hail from across the GTA, the majority live in Vaughan or have companies based in the city, co-founder Frank Ciccolini said.

“A lot of us are connected in the construction and building community and we’re predominantly of Italian heritage, hence our love of cycling,” said Ciccolini, who grew up in Kleinburg and is a partner with Masters Insurance in Concord.

“To join the team we pushed two obligations on the rider. One was to get in shape and train all year long … and then second, or maybe first, your obligation was to raise at least $5,000 for the Humber River Hospital either by making a personal donation or by engaging your friends, family and business associates to make an online contribution towards the hospital.”

The team trained for a year before tackling its first Granfondo in the Maranello/Modena area of Italy in 2012. Sixty of its riders took part in that race and raised $425,000.

In 2014, 69 Team Revolution members tackled the Granfondo Scott in Piacenza, outside of Milan, and raised $650,000.

This fall, 73 cyclists competed in the Granfondo Italia in Terracina and, so far, have raised more than $505,000.

During the off years, team members participate in local events to support other charities while also raising funds for Humber River Hospital, Ciccolini said.

With three successful races behind them, the team’s executive decided it was time to give members more options for allocating their fundraising dollars, hence the plan to add Mackenzie Health Foundation and Project Saving Legs, Ciccolini said.

To find out more visit, theteamrevolution.ca