Lorenzo Pellicciotta completed a 25,097-kilometer motorcycle ride across Canada in 57 days to raise awareness and funds for the CNIB Foundation, inspired by his daughter Olivia who lives with vision loss. The Miles for Sight campaign has surpassed 60% of its $100,000 fundraising goal and continues to support people living with vision loss.
- Lorenzo Pellicciotta completed a 25,097-kilometer motorcycle journey across all 10 Canadian provinces and 2 territories in 57 days
- The ride, called Miles for Sight, was inspired by his daughter Olivia, who lives with vision loss
- The journey reached all three of Canada's oceans — the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic — after Pellicciotta added a stop at White Rock Pier in B.C.
- The fundraising campaign has surpassed 60% of its $100,000 goal, with Pellicciotta continuing to encourage donations and awareness for CNIB
- The automotive community played a significant role, with CARSTAR locations, NAPA Auto Parts stores, and AUTOPRO locations displaying posters and supporting the initiative
Lorenzo Pellicciotta has completed a 25,097.8-kilometre motorcycle journey across Canada, raising awareness and funds for the CNIB Foundation along the way.
The owner of CARSTAR Oakville West and AUTOPRO Oakville spent 57 days on the road for the Miles for Sight -- Four Corners of Canada Ride, travelling through all 10 provinces and two territories and reaching the four corners of Canada.
While the original route took Pellicciotta to Point Pelee, Ont., Beaver Creek, Yukon, Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., and Cape Spear, N.L., he added another milestone along the way.
“I couldn't cross Canada without touching the Pacific,” Pellicciotta said, prompting a trip to White Rock Pier in B.C. The additional stop meant the journey ultimately reached all three of Canada's oceans -- the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic.
The inspiration behind Miles for Sight is Pellicciotta's daughter, Olivia, who lives with vision loss.
“While Olivia inspired me to take on this journey, I’m doing it for Olivia and all people living with vision loss,” he said.
Throughout the journey, Pellicciotta made stops at collision repair facilities, NAPA Auto Parts stores, NAPA AUTOPRO locations and other businesses to share the story behind the ride and encourage support for CNIB.
The automotive community played a significant role throughout the journey, with businesses displaying Miles for Sight posters and sharing the initiative with customers and local communities. CARSTAR locations in Atlantic Canada, including CARSTAR Miramichi, CARSTAR Charlottetown, CARSTAR St. John’s and CARSTAR Sydney, were among the final stops of the cross-country ride.
The journey also included stops with CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada staff, along with countless informal conversations with people Pellicciotta met on the road.
“The motorcycle starts the conversation, but Miles for Sight gives that conversation a purpose,” he said during the journey.
The ride was not without challenges. Mechanical maintenance, ferry schedules, weather, long stretches of remote highway and difficult conditions on the Dempster Highway all required changes to the route and schedule.
Despite the obstacles, Pellicciotta said the people he met ultimately became the most memorable part of the journey.
“I set out to ride to the four corners of Canada for my daughter Olivia and everyone living with vision loss. After 57 days and 25,097.8 kilometres, what I'll remember most isn't the distance -- it's the people I met, the stories they shared with me, and how many lives are touched by vision loss.”
While the motorcycle ride is complete, the Miles for Sight campaign is not. The fundraising goal is $100,000, and the campaign has currently surpassed 60% of that target.
Pellicciotta continues to encourage donations and awareness for CNIB and says he is already working on plans for next year to keep the momentum going.
“I’m not quite ready to share the details yet, but there is definitely more to come,” he said.
The ride may be finished, but Pellicciotta's work to raise awareness and funds for people living with vision loss continues.
