Rain or shine, 250 cyclists are expected to participate in the fifth annual Ride for Refugees in Hamilton on Oct. 18. The Ride for Refugees is a 10, 25, 50 and 100 kilometre bicycle tour that raises money for refugee projects and services overseas and in Canada.

The ride start and finish lines will be located at Rehoboth Christian School,198 Inksetter Rd, Copetown, 9:30 am.

"I think Canadians are well aware that there are 67 million refugees and IDPs in the world but most of us feel helpless to do anything about it," said Brian Carney, Ride for Refugees chairman.

"The Ride for Refugees gives us an opportunity to take action -- to do something that will make a difference in the lives of refugees."

In previous years money raised by the R4R has built schools, supported several orphanages, purchased sewing machines and cleaned up 200 contaminated wells for refugees in Sudan. Micah House, Hamilton's refugee shelter, 173 Gage St. N, Hamilton, is one of the local recipients of the funds raised by the ride. To learn more, see www.rideforrefugees.com.