Halifax man cycling through Atlantic provinces for Ronald McDonald House

Jason Thorpe was just nine years old when he underwent treatment for cancer in Halifax.

Now, the 25-year-oldis on the P.E.I. leg of his 1,700-kilometre cycling tour aiming toraise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Atlantic Canada.

The bike tour, for Thorpe, is his way of giving back to the organization, which offered him vitalsupport during a very scary and unpredictable time in his life.

"Your life changes pretty quick and dramatically. So for my parents and my sister, they needed a place to stay so they had the Ronald McDonald House there for them," he said.

Thorpe grew up in New Brunswick and nowlivesin Halifax.

They welcomed us with open arms and they are extended family at this point. Jason Thorpe

Thorpe hopes to raise $20,000, he said, with 100 per cent of the funds raised going to Ronald McDonald House Charities in the region.

Thorpe has alreadyraised about 30 per cent of his goal.

"You don't know that you need a place like that until a circumstance like that arises. But they were there. They welcomed us with open arms and they are extended family at this point," Thorpe said.

The bike tour kicked off onAug.18and is expected to wrap up at the end of the Labour Day weekend.

More P.E.I. news