Kelly Brush Ride Raises $521K for Adaptive Athletes and Ski Racing Safety
Burlington, VT (PRWEB) September 15, 2017 -- The 12th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, drew 810 cyclists and 40 adaptive athletes who raised more than $521,000 to empower those with paralysis through sport and recreation and to prevent ski racing injuries.
The event was held Saturday, Sept. 9 in Middlebury, Vermont.
“This incredible level of support from participants, and those who supported them, will help us continue improving the lives of those with paralysis through sport and recreation and further our mission to prevent ski racing injuries,” said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation. “Last year we had nearly 200 requests for assistance purchasing adaptive gear and we expect that number to grow this year, as it has every year since we started the foundation more than a decade ago.”
To date, funds raised from the event have contributed to the purchase of more than 475 pieces of adaptive sports equipment such as handcycles, sport wheelchairs and monoskis to adaptive athletes in 47 states. In addition, the foundation has supported ski clubs and race organizations across the country in efforts to improve ski racing safety, helping protect thousands of racers around the country with safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness campaigns.
The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Audi South Burlington, Sugarbush Resort, World Cup Supply, Murphy Realty Company and more than 30 other generous sponsors.
About the Kelly Brush Foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those with paralysis live engaged and fulfilling lives through sport and recreation and to prevent ski racing injuries through a shared commitment to proper safety practices. The foundation has helped purchase more than 475 pieces of adaptive sports equipment for individuals with spinal cord injuries. In addition, the foundation has supported ski clubs and race organizations in efforts to improve ski racing safety, helping protect thousands of racers around the country with safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness campaigns. Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with paralysis. http://www.kellybrushfoundation.org
About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations: VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours worldwide, including destinations throughout Europe, North America, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, Chile and South Africa. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities and on-tour vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes roundtrip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities and select Canadian cities for all overseas vacations. VBT has been rated among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine for seven years.
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Zeke Davisson, Kelly Brush Foundation, http://www.kellybrushfoundation.org, +1 (802) 989-9648, [email protected]
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