Toronto cyclist dies on cross-country trip for charity

A 24-year-old Toronto man died in Manitoba on Monday while he was trying to cycle across Canada to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Graeme Loader was hit by an SUV around 8 p.m. on the Trans-Canada Highway, outside of Brandon, Man.

The SUV was travelling the same direction. A 28-year-old woman who was allegedly behind the wheel has not been charged and police said alcohol is not considered a factor.

“Because of his profound love of nature, WWF became his sponsor,” Loader’s brother Dan told CityNews.

Loader’s sister Rachael said Graeme had so many good things to say about his trip, which started in British Columbia.

“He said people are just so much more helpful than we think,” she said.

“A lot of us live our lives and never do anything and he’s 24 and he did what he wanted to do and that’s probably why he left. He was done. He had figured it out before any of us,” she said.

“He lived his dreams,” his father Paul said from Manitoba. “He was having the time of his life, he was in the outdoors, which he loved.”

Loader’s last Facebook post was about walking into a Tim Hortons and coming out with new friends and a place to stay on his next stop.

Arrangements are being made to bring his body back to the GTA for a funeral.

The young man was a photographer and was cycling to raise $15,000 for the WWF.

His family is still hoping to reach that goal in his honour. Click here to make a donation.

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