When the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay arrives in Williams Lake on March 25, 2012, Horsefly’s Bruce MacLeod will be the final community medal bearer for the Rick Hansen End of Day Celebration.
MacLeod is a dedicated volunteer in his community and an excellent representative of our community, says Coun. Surinderpal Rathor, the City’s Accessibility Committee representative on the End of Day Celebration Committee.
“Not only does he work to increase accessibility — he promotes his hometown and volunteers for a long list of community projects and organizations,” Rathor says.
Describing the chance to be the medal bearer as an honour for which he is humbled, MacLeod admits he was completely surprised to be selected.
“I had no idea that they had nominated me,” MacLeod says. “I’ve seen Rick Hansen at places where he has been speaking, but have never met him in person.”
MacLeod has pushed for a number of projects that have resulted in ramps being installed at various venues in the region, yet he is quick to give an exhaustive list of other people who have helped him achieve those goals. Thirty years ago, MacLeod broke his back in an accident.
“Nothing I have ever achieved in life before or after my accident on Dec. 16, 1981, has been accomplished without a network of support from many different sources,” he says, also crediting his wife Faye for being a constant supporter.
There is still an opportunity for local residents to participate in the relay by entering the contest at www.rickhansenrelay.com for a chance to carry the medal for a 250-metre leg of the relay.
The relay commemorates Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour 25 years ago.