Spin 4 Kids 2013: A National Event with Local Investment

Canada's largest indoor cycling fundraiser is creating a healthier path for Canadian Children

LONDON, ON, Jan. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - On Saturday March 2, 2013 GoodLife Fitness employees, Members and non-Members, partners, friends and family will hop on indoor cycles to participate in the 2^nd annual Spin 4 Kids, Canada's largest one-day spin-a-thon, in support of the GoodLife Kids Foundation (GLKF).

The event will feature thousands of riders, on teams of up to eight (beginners to experts), pedaling for eight hours in GoodLife Fitness Clubs, local malls, community centres, and hotel conference rooms across Canada—from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia.

A local idea that is making a national impact:
The creation of Spin 4 Kids was a direct result of the efforts of Dr. Richard Barter, who in 2011, with the help of GoodLife employees,  Members, and guests in St. John's NFLD, created a local group cycling event that raised over $23,000 for the GoodLife Kids Foundation. After this success, Dr. Barter, an Emergency Room Physician and GoodLife Group Cycling Instructor, challenged all the GoodLife Clubs across Canada to a one-day spin-a-thon fundraiser to support GLKF and their vision of getting kids active…creating the first national Spin 4 Kids event! At the 2012 event, Dr. Barter, or the 'Spin Doctor' as he is affectionately known, and his team and the community raised over $53,000 and were crowned the National Spin 4 Kids Fundraising Champion.

"The first National Spin 4 Kids event was a great achievement but we know there is still much more work that needs to be done  to get  Canadian children on a healthier path," said Dr. Barter, who is leading the 2013 event as the National Spin 4 Kids Chairperson. "It is uplifting to know that our team in St. John's has inspired GoodLife Clubs across Canada but also that our efforts have made a positive difference locally, with a recent GoodLife Kids Foundation $15,000 Grant being made to the Boys and Girls Club of St. John's," concluded Dr. Barter.

GoodLife Kids Foundation provided the Boys and Girls Club of St. John's with a grant to their Blast off to Wellness program. Blast off to Wellness will educate and actively engage participants in the areas of healthy eating, physical activity and healthy lifestyles. The grant is made possible through the fundraising efforts of St. John's Atlantic Place and St. John's Torbay Road GoodLife Fitness Members and Associates during the 2012 Spin 4 Kids Event and the Be A Kid's Superhero Campaign.

"As GoodLife Kids Champion I'm thrilled to support Dr. Barter and Spin 4 Kids," said 3-time Olympic Medalist, Silken Laumann. "The issue of inactivity and obesity is something that affects every Canadian. Inactivity is affecting the quality and quantity of children's lives," continued Laumann. "With the support of GoodLife Fitness, each GoodLife Club and the local communities in which they operate, GoodLife Kids Foundation helps get kids active in concrete ways and together we can make a significant impact on the health and lives of our children."

Last year, GoodLife Kids Foundation's inaugural Spin 4 Kids raised over $184,000. Because of this success and other fundraising initiatives, GoodLife Kids Foundation's Grant Program, was able to provide a total of $275,000 in 2012, to local organizations that help Canadian kids live healthier, happier, and more active lives. To date, GoodLife Kids Foundation has given nearly $1 MILLION to over 80 organizations and helped almost 200,000 Canadian children. To learn more about GoodLife Kids Foundation Grants or to apply for a grant visit: www.goodlifekids.com/grant-program/granting-program

2013 Spin 4 Kids Goal

With the goal of supporting even more organizations who help Canadian Children lead more active and healthy lives, the GoodLife Kids Foundation has increased its fundraising goal for Spin 4 Kids 2013 to $500,000

Do you want to help give more Canadian kids the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life?  Visit www.spin4kids.com to sign up a team, donate to an existing team, or learn more.

Spin 4 Kids 2013 is coming to a GoodLife Fitness Club near YOU, March 2^nd

MEDIA NOTE: Media and photo-opportunities are available, pre-event, day-of event, and post-event at all of the locations list below.

THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL SPONSORS

Host Locations (as of January 23)

Note: an updated list of locations is posted at: www.spin4kids.com

SOURCE: GoodLife Fitness