The Canadian Oilfield Riders Association was founded in 1988 following the loss of one of the founding members children to cancer at the young age of eight. “Rest in peace little one“. A small group of people gathered together to start a motorcycle fundraising ride. They reached out for support within their oilfield industry with the intent to provide a donation to the Children’s Wish Foundation. The ride since has become an annual event (omitting three years due to COVID) with riders meeting for a pancake breakfast, a day of riding together on a pre mapped route leading them back to the event grounds. There at the grounds various activities take place including games and awards, bbq dinner, live music and dancing, draws and more. Overnight camping is also optional. Funding for our program comes from ticket sales , live and silent auctions and a 50/50 draw. We have also been blessed to have support from several corporate sponsors and personal donors providing support such as cash donations, event facility, event equipment, auction items and more.

 

By 2020 the Canadian Oilfield Riders had donated over seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the Children’s Wish Foundation. In 2019 the Children’s Wish Foundation unified with Make-A-Wish Canada becoming a national entity.

 

In early 2023 following the pandemic, the Canadian Oilfield Riders committee resumed planning for the thirty second annual charity event. After much consideration the committee decided to redirect their funding to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, keeping their efforts local. In just three years donations have exceeded one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. Last year (2025) thanks to a very generous donor (Dave Griffith, now a committee member) who matched the funds raised by the Canadian Oilfield Riders, making the annual donation over one hundred thousand dollars.

 

“Pipes & Pistons” is the slogan for the 35th annual charity ride and going forward as we are extending the invite to car enthusiasts. The Canadian Oilfield Riders committee consists of twenty-five volunteer members who commit countless hours in planning this annual charity event. From reaching out to contacts to support the event to behind the scenes posting updates, issuing receipts, updating the website and so much more. As they say surround yourselves with great people and great things will happen. The weekend of the event many volunteers arrive to help the committee with rig-in, throughout the event and the following day with rig-out. Early event day morning volunteers from the Alberta Children’s Hospital arrive to cook a delicious breakfast for everyone.

 

We, the Canadian Oilfield Riders Association committee would like to thank all attendees, sponsors, donors and volunteers. You are making a difference in the wellbeing of children!

 

 

Cheers from,