Cyclist Iliajah Pidskalny crossed three provinces to raise awareness and funds for drug policy and mental health care reform, finishing his 1,670-km journey at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver.
Pidskalny, who started his journey from his home province of Saskatchewan passed through Hope and spoke with The Standard last week on the final leg of his journey, parking in Vancouver on Jan. 29, two days after passing through Agassiz.
He cleared his fundraising goal of $20,000 a few days before his journey’s end; the total to be donated to Canadian Drug Policy Coaltion and Moms Stop the Harm hit $25,000 as of publication, according to his GoFundMe page.
RELATED: Stop the Harm: Saskatchewan cyclist riding for a cause passes through Fraser Valley
Pidskalny’s final post on the ride’s Facebook page hints at his post-ride future – he plans to continue his life on the road.
“How am I getting home? I’m already home, living on the road,” he wrote. He said he planned to head to Vancouver Island, where he might be found busking, dumpster diving, volunteering and possibly cycling back east again.
“Thanks again for following this journey about homelessness, hunger, addictions, opioid poisoning and ultimately, mental health,” he concluded. “May we shine and help write tomorrow’s history.”
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