Mike Davenport is racing ever closer to the finish line in his bid to raise a stack of cash for a regional cancer-care centre planned for Barrie’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
The local Subaru dealer has already netted more than two-thirds of an ambitious $100,000 goal – set last October during the launch of a campaign dubbed “I Believe.”
Magnetized decals bearing the slogan are appearing with increasing frequency on the backsides of vehicles in Orillia and beyond.
“People realize we need cancer care closer to home,” Davenport said of the support to date.
“This is about regional health care. No one hospital can do everything.”
The local man is now taking the effort on the road as he prepares for an East Coast excursion with a twist.
Davenport and his fellow participants in the Targa Newfoundland rally will spend five days navigating a 2,200-kilometre course, portions of which are closed to the public to allow for competitive racing.
Local pledges collected in advance of the event will go to support the cancer centre, he said.
“We don’t care if we win, we just want to cross the finish line,” he added.
Davenport had collected about $10,000 in pledges before setting off for Newfoundland with a small crew and a revamped 1997 Subaru SVX.
In addition to raising funds for the cancer centre, his participation in the rally represents the realization of a long-held dream.
“One thing off the bucket list,” he added.
Competitors in the rally – said to be the only one of its kind in North America – were required to undergo extensive first-aid training, as well as receiving in-depth instruction on rally driving.
“It is a pretty grueling race,” Davenport added. “You have to pace yourself.”
Dealership employee Shawn Monette will ride shotgun in the tricked-out vehicle, serving as navigator and co-pilot.
Fellow staffer Brock Lauer and Kevin Wood, a friend of Davenport’s, will follow in a support vehicle.
The rally is the latest in a string of events supporting the I Believe campaign.
Past initiatives have included a car wash, golf tournament and a hill climb at Mount St. Louis Moonstone.
Area businesses have contributed to the cause by making available the vehicle decals, which are given away in return for donations.
Davenport's son, Adam, died from leukemia at age 17.
