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Montreal, June 20, 2001 For the third consecutive year, the Jacques-Forest Foundation of the Montreal regrouped outside workers, is joining forces with the EcoRoule event. For this activity that was launched in Farnham on May 17, the foundation will be handing out three bicycles today that are adapted to the needs of people with handicaps.

The EcoRoule event is designed for people in wheelchairs both children and adults alike who suffer from various types of impairment, some of which are degenerative: paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, polio, multiple sclerosis, etc. EcoRoule was created in 1995 by a member of the Farnham Lions Club, Roger Domey, who has multiple sclerosis himself.

This year, Local 301, which is affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE-QFL) and is part of the Montreal regrouped outside workers, is offering Top End hand bicycles to two handicapped youths, William Noseworthy, age 13, and Christian Dupond, age 16, and an adapted tricycle to Ms. Frances Champigny, age 44.

Since 1996, the foundation has made it possible for approximately 80 different organizations to receive donations totalling more than $255,000. For the year 2001 alone, the foundation will be making donations totalling $50,000 over the next few weeks.

We are proud to take part in improving the quality of life of these individuals and help them surpass themselves, said Denis Maynard, spokesperson for the foundation. As young Guillaume Blais, one of the recipients of a bicycle in 1999, put it, It helped me be part of more activities with my friends.

The Montreal regrouped outside workers took the opportunity afforded by the Jacques-Forest Foundations general meeting to launch their fund-raising campaign under the slogan $5.00 to surpass handicaps. This campaign will make it possible to raise the necessary funds to meet the foundations objectives.

On behalf of the foundations board of directors, its spokesperson, Denis Maynard, thanks all generous donors in advance. These potential donors include members of its union and all the parents and friends whose contributions make it possible to come to the assistance of handicapped individuals, among others.

SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (QFL)

Information:
Denis Maynard (514) 384-7730

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