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Barrie Bolton Georgetown Oshawa 705-726-8132 905-857-6970 905-873-8007 905-579-2279 NO GST NO PST Cash & Carry Only on Premium pressure treated lumber and pressure treated accessories Deck & Fence Sale 4 DAYS ONLY! MAY 29th - JUNE 1st, 2008 Lowest Price Guarantee See store for details Delivery Available United Lumber Home Hardware 333 Guelph Street, Georgetown, ON 8 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, May 28, 2008 What began as a way for a Georgetown South family to honour their deceased son has grown into an outpouring of support, which will culminate in this Sundays Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart in Toronto. Fifteen-year-old Matthew Barker passed away last June, a week after collapsing in his basement, the victim of a rare heart disease called ARVD. His aunt, Janet Olson, thought it would be nice to honour the Grade 10 Christ the King students memory by partici- pating in Sundays 21st-annual Heart & Stroke ride. Matthews parents, Joan and James, his 14-year-old sister Melissa and stepbrother Jason Black also committed to making the 25-km bike ride that will wind along the Don Valley Parkway, and the Motoring for Matt team has been gathering steam over the past couple of weeks. A fund-raising goal of $1,000 was initially set by the family, but that figure was quickly surpassed, now almost reaching the $20,000 mark as of Tuesday afternoon. The local con- tingent now boasts 21 riders and they say theres room for late entries for the event, which drew close to 20,000 participants last year. At first we were hesitant because we did- nt know how long the ride was going to be 25K, 50K or 75K but we decided that wed give it a try, said Matts mother Joan, who works for the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Boards transportation department. My older sister was very persistent in get- ting this going and my daughter told her friends and everyone at Christ the King has been very supportive. It has just snowballed from there. James, Melissa and Joan Barker are among 21 family members and friends currently signed up to ride in this Sundays Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart in Toronto. Their team Motoring for Matt is named in hon- our of the Barkers son Matthew who died last year of a rare heart disease called ARVD. Photo by Eamonn Maher In Becel Ride for Heart Family and friends are ready to Motor for Matt this Sunday EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer See LOCAL, pg 10