David McMullen smashed his first motorcycle at 16 and has been riding one for much of his life.
So, it was natural as he thought about ways to give back to people who serve Canada for him to do it with a motorcycle show and shine.
“My daughter is a veteran and I just wanted to find a way to pay back the people who do this good stuff for us,” McMullen said.
McMullen’s daughter served in Afghanistan and he wanted to do something in honour of her and others who serve.
So he helped organize the Pictou Motorcycle Show on Caladh Avenue in Pictou which has been moved to Sunday due to heavy rains forcast for Saturday. Registration will start at 9 a.m. with the show and shine going from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After doing some research McMullen decided the funds should go towards Wounded Warriors Canada a group which provides support to Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders and their families. They have a strong focus on mental health issues. One of the areas that particularly interests McMullen is the service dogs trained to help these veterans and first responders cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“It’s about $15,000 to train a service dog,” McMullen said, adding that some that start the training process end up not being successful.
“It’s quite an expensive project,” he said. “I’d like to be able to give them money to train those service dogs.”
McMullen hopes to have a large number of people from across the Maritimes take part as well as local families.
He said Pictou Recreation has been a great support and will be hosting a children’s fun area with a tug of war challenge, face painting, lawn games and more.
Other activities planned that day include a bicycle safety course by the RCMP, a silent auction and more.
Trophies and prizes will be handed out as part of the motorcycle show and shine. All bikes are welcome.
For more information about the upcoming show and shine, email [email protected] or call 902-396-7456.
