Marc Gervais (middle) on Chestnut St. which he rode 100 times to raise money for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre. (submitted/Marc Gervais)

By Spencer Sterritt

uphill

Cyclist rides 100 laps up their steep street for Nanaimo fundraiser

Aug 15, 2021 | 6:41 AM

NANAIMO — A Nanaimo cyclist exceeded their fundraising goal by riding up and down their steep mid-Nanaimo street 100 times.

Marc Gervais pedalled along Chestnut St. in mid-July to raise money for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre. He raised more than $1,600, exceeding his $1,500 goal.

“I knew the Nanaimo CDC did good work, so I figured I would try to combine a passion of mine with giving back to the community,” Gervais told NaniamoNewsNOW.

He worked to bring his entire neighbourhood into the challenge, saying he’d get breaks by pulling up to someone who lived on Chestnut St. to collect money.

“It’s always great to exceed a goal but honestly, I’m just glad I could donate any money to the Nanaimo CDC.”

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Gervais put in more than 3,400 metres on his bike during the fundraiser.

“To put that in perspective, Mt. Everest is 8,848 metres. So not quite half of Mt. Everest but it was a long uphill.”

The money donated to the Nanaimo Child Development Centre will be used to programming and specialized equipment but isn’t designated for a specific program or expense.