By James Bowler

Salvation Army member bikes to Nipawin

May 23, 2013 | 11:52 AM

Salvation Army member Claude Pelletier is back on the bicycle once again this weekend.

For the past three years, Pelletier has been biking on or near his birthday to raise money for a country of his choosing that’s in need. He will leave this Saturday and return to Prince Albert on Sunday.

“The bike-a-thon is a way of raising funds for the Salvation Army in support of a project that we call ‘Partners in Mission’,” said Pelletier. “The money is raised to support one undeveloped country that is having hard times.”

Pelletier has visited various businesses around Prince Albert looking for pledge donations.

“The money that we raise is from various businesses across the city, and people have been more than generous,” said Pelletier. “So far we’ve raised close to $10,500.”

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He said the money this year is going towards the African nation of Malawi.

“(The money will go towards) schooling, shelter, spreading of the gospel,” said Pelletier. “Any place that has a church in that area that they can use it to help.”

This year, Pelletier plans to bike from Prince Albert to Nipawin and back, making it a two-day trip.

“This year I’m biking to Nipawin, staying overnight and coming back the next day,” said Pelletier. “It’s close to 300 kilometers or 180 miles.”

Pelletier said he’s been doing a lot to prepare for the long trip including a lot of walking while raising pledges and over the long weekend he biked to Saskatoon and back.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim