The family of Aidan Webber along with Nanaimo BMX are holding a Memorial Race and Pro-AM dedicated to his memory, on what would have been the rider's 19th birthday. (Nicole Webber)

By Dan Marshall

Remembering Aidan Webber

Tribute race to Nanaimo BMX rider to become annual event

Sep 26, 2019 | 5:02 PM

NANAIMO — A weekend of racing at the Marie Davidson Bike Park will honour a fallen hero in the local BMX community.

Aidan Webber was killed in March 2019 in a workplace accident. A professional BMX racer, Aidan was the 2018 Canadian Junior Elite National Champion.

His life and contributions to the sport will be celebrated with the first annual Aidan Webber Memorial Race and Pro-Am on Saturday Sept. 28.

Aidan’s mother, Nicole Webber said they wanted to hold this event on what would have been Aidan’s 19th birthday.

“We lost this beautiful human being, and this is going to be a yearly fundraiser to feed into Aidan’s legacy fund.”

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The Aidan Webber Legacy Fund was created to celebrate Aidan’s kindness, positivity, and support for young people. One of the main goals is to promote youth participation in cycling, BMX, and sport in general.

The race and associated events have been organized primarily by the Webber family and Nanaimo BMX.

The weekend begins with a sold out Beer and Burger fundraiser on Friday Sept. 27. Registration for the Pro-Am is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday with racing to follow.

The pro purse has been set at a minimum of $7,500 to attract more professional racers.

There will be regular racing as well for ages two and up before a salmon barbeque fundraiser wraps up the day.

Webber is expecting hundreds of people from Nanaimo and places all over the world to attend.

“Aidan was an international racer, he raced in many remote places and he’s made friends all over the world. I think the sheer volume of people who knew Aidan or people who can relate to the story of losing this child are going to want to come and support.”

Webber added they’ve had responses from people across the United States who have said they want to attend, along with strong pre-registration online and activity in the event’s Facebook page.

To put on the Pro-Am and all of the associated activities has been a major undertaking and Webber is very grateful for the many people who have stepped up to lend a hand.

“People have just come together in Aidan’s name wanting to make this a very special day. We certainly couldn’t have done this without the support of the entire community.”

The Aidan Webber Legacy Fund has already raised $17,000.

In the coming weeks the Webber family plans to get together with several BMX and cycling stakeholders to determine how the money will be allocated.

The funds are handled by the Vancouver Foundation, and the Webber’s have made it a priority that the money will go to support youth and not themselves as a family.

Information about the Aidan Webber Legacy Fund, and all of the events surrounding the Aidan Webber Memorial Race and Pro-Am, is available on the Nanaimo BMX website and through Facebook.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77