The Yukon chapter of Ride for Dad brought together the territory’s motorcycle community for a fundraiser that raised approximately $100,000 in support of the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation’s efforts to promote prostate cancer awareness and research on June 7, according to organizers.
This year’s Ride for Dad ride drew 221 registered motorcyclists, just one fewer than in 2024. Riders left Whitehorse and rode roughly 211-kilometres through the Tagish Loop along the Alaska Highway. Some motorcyclists travelled in groups on high-performance bikes, choppers, dirt bikes and slingshots, passing through Carcross and Tagish before returning to Whitehorse.
At around 4:30 p.m. on June 7, riders returned to Shipyards Park, where rows of motorcycles were displayed along the skating loop. By 5 p.m., organizers distributed awards to top fundraisers and prizes for challenges, such as bugs splattered on a target affixed to motorcycles' windscreens.
Mike Thorpe, the chapter's co-chair, announced that the team Willy’s Warriors collectively raised a running total of $28,229 for the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation, making it the second-highest fundraising total nationwide as of publication, Thorpe said while he gave out the award.
Tess Lawrence was named the top individual fundraiser for the Yukon chapter’s 15th annual Ride for Dad event in 2025, having raised a running total of $9,487. She was followed by Pierre Allard, who raised $8,443 and Michelle Matheson, who fund raised $6,244 as of publication.
Thorpe recognized the fundraising milestones achieved by Yukon chapter members in the charity’s Captain’s Club, which honours participants who have raised more than $1,000 for the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation.
Matheson reached a significant benchmark, surpassing $25,000 in total funds raised for Ride for Dad's Yukon chapter. Terry Hayden has exceeded $10,000, while Ron De Alva and Kyle Carruthers were acknowledged for each contributing more than $5,000. John Anderson, Doug Stevens, Eric Bonnet, Bruce Williams and Wayne Cole have raised over $2,500, marking their dedication to the cause.
Ride for Dad has chapters across the country, from the Maritimes to Western Canada and holds motorcycle rides year-round to raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness. So far in 2025, riders have hit the road in the Yukon, Ottawa, Calabogie, Grand River, Swift Current and the Okanagan. A chapter-to-chapter relay ride has also made its way across the country.
Upcoming Ride for Dad motorcycle events are set for June 14 in Avalon, Calgary, Durham, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Moncton, Niagara and Saskatoon.
Additional rides are scheduled for Lakeland on June 21, Gander on June 28, Huronia on July 12, Maitland Valley and Southern Alberta on July 19, Red Deer on Aug. 16, Montreal on Sept. 13 and Golden Horseshoe on Sept. 14.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
