A group of motorcyclists gathered outdoors in Rutland on Monday to remember an 18-month-old boy who passed away tragically last year.
On April 19, 2020, Gaige Banman was run over by a car on McCurdy Road. His parents have spent the past year grieving and on the one-year anniversary of Gaige鈥檚 death, the Urban Bulldogs Against Kids Abuse (UBAKA) was determined to make sure they didn鈥檛 have to grieve alone.
鈥淲e wanted to make sure the family knew they were supported,鈥� said the UBAKA 91大黄鸭 Chapter鈥檚 secretary, Stephanie Margetts.
After hearing the tragic story of Gaige鈥檚 death, they wanted to find a way to help the family heal.
The Urban Bulldogs Against Kids Abuse is a non-profit motorcycle organization that advocates against child abuse. Its goal is to provide help and safety to children who have been sexually, physically and psychologically abused. The group also aims to help sick children and their families 鈥� and in this case, support a family that has experienced a tragedy.
Gaige鈥檚 favourite thing to do was blow bubbles, so it was only fitting that the group gathered to blow bubbles and send off balloons in his memory. About 35 people gathered outdoors and socially distanced, with 11 motorcycles lined up in honour of the toddler.
鈥淲hen there is a tragedy, people want to point fingers and blame someone for what happened,鈥� explained Margetts. 鈥淓verybody is looking for a bad guy. But this was an unfortunate circumstance, it was an accident.鈥�
Margetts added that often motorcycle groups are viewed as 鈥榖ad guys鈥� who are intimidating, but UBAKA wants to break that stereotype.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just families who love children and love motorcycles,鈥� she continued. 鈥淲e just want to help children and families feel safe and supported.鈥�
According to Margetts, the family was overwhelmed as blue and green balloons were released for Gaige.
鈥淚t was a very emotional day for everyone.鈥�
READ MORE: Funeral for toddler run over by vehicle in 91大黄鸭
READ MORE: Child dies after being struck by a vehicle in 91大黄鸭
amandalina.letterio@kelownacapnews.com
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