Labour gives hand-cyclist a generous send-off

Ramesh Ferris, who is slated to begin his six-month Cycle to Walk journey this weekend, was the proud recipient of a cheque for $8,250 from the Yukon Federation of Labour this morning.

Ramesh Ferris, who is slated to begin his six-month Cycle to Walk journey this weekend, was the proud recipient of a cheque for $8,250 from the Yukon Federation of Labour this morning.

“Cycle to Walk is so happy to receive this money,” Ferris, 28, told a news conference.

“Since day one, Cycle to Walk has totally appreciated all of your support,” he told federation president Alex Furlong.

“I’m hoping some more funds will come in,” Furlong said.

“I’m still working the phones.”

Furlong added he has appealed to labour federations across the country to support Ferris’ cross-country journey.

Ferris will host a ceremony on Thursday in honour of the Cycle to Walk journey before flying to Vancouver.

He will leave Victoria this Saturday and plans to arrive at Cape Spear, NL, in six month’s time.

During his cross-country journey, Ferris will be speaking at local schools and churches in hopes of reaching his goal: to prevent, educate, and rehabilitate those affected by polio.

Ferris, who was the Yukon’s first international adoptee in 1982, contracted polio as a child in India before being adopted by the family of former Yukon bishop Ron Ferris.