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World, country, province, region and city gearing up for Hansen Relay

Rick Hansen Relay retraces route of 1987's original Man in Motion World tour

A momentous and unprecedented achievement was realized in 1987, touching people in a big way, right around the world, including Castlegar, BC. It was Rick Hansen’s incredible Man In Motion World Tour.

 

The Past – 25 years of Progress

Twenty-five years ago Rick Hansen had a dream - to make the world more accessible and inclusive and to find a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI). Inspired by a deep-seated belief that anything is possible, Rick’s dream took shape in the form of the Man In Motion World Tour (MIMWT). For 26 months he and his team wheeled over 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries, raising awareness of the potential of people with disabilities. The completion of this epic Tour was a testament to willpower, physical prowess and the ability to lead a seemingly impossible campaign. It was the beginning of a lifelong and selfless journey to make a positive difference in the lives of others.Through the Foundation that bears his name, more than $250 million has been raised to accelerate progress towards a cure for SCI, and a more accessible and inclusive world.

 

The Present  – One Inspires Many

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the MIMWT. Moving from one Man In Motion to Many In Motion, it is a global invitation to join Rick in his journey towards a cure and a more inclusive society as he inspires a new generation to be difference makers - to dream, to take action, to continue to change the world.

 

The Future – Champion For Social Change

Twenty-five years of work has resulted in many accomplishments. Rick Hansen has become a catalyst for unprecedented change in society’s attitudes, bringing leadership and relentless focus to improving the quality of life of people with SCI and building an accessible world.While extraordinary progress has been made in the last 25 years, Rick continues to look to the future to engage a global community of difference makers who will join Rick in accelerating progress toward a more healthy and inclusive world.

 

About the Medal

The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to be recognized as a world leader in the field of medals engineering and fabrication and it was honoured to be invited by the Rick Hansen Foundation to become the official medals supplier of the 25th Anniversary Man in Motion World Tour.   From one man in motion to Many in Motion, the men and women of the Royal Canadian Mint were thrilled to join in creating medals which honour the 25 year-old Man in Motion tour and the millions of people who have since been inspired to make a positive difference in their communities.

From the same Ottawa facility responsible for medals of the Canadian Forces, the RCMP and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the Mint has designed and handcrafted sterling silver Rick Hansen Relay Medals. One singular medal will be carried by over 7,000 Medal-Bearers in relay fashion as they make their way across Canada during the silver anniversary of the Man in Motion Tour.Every Medal-Bearer will receive their own replica medal to permanently remember the way in which they personally added to the momentum of the 25th Anniversary Man in Motion World Tour.