Niki Murphy is cycling across the country to raise money on behalf of 11-year-old niece Gracie, who was killed by a drunk driver last October.
Prior to her death, Gracie had been raising money for Free the Children, a charity that works to help children break free from poverty, by empowering their mothers, improving their schools, outfitting their health clinics and building water facilities.
Murphy hopes to raise $7,500, which will enable to her ‘Adopt a Village’ in her niece’s name.
Adopt a Village is designed to meet the basic needs of developing communities, with a focus on education, alternative income, health care, and water and sanitation.
Gracie’s family asked for donations to Free the Children, in lieu of flowers, following her death.
The year before, Gracie had also let her family know that she wanted to donate her organs, which ended up helping six people after her death.
Although devastated by the loss, Murphy was inspired by her niece’s generous spirit, and decided she needed to follow in her small footsteps.
“In her death, she gave back more than I’ve given my entire life,” Murphy said. “I’ve always wanted to cycle across Canada, it’s kind of on my ‘bucket list,’ and I just thought I could do two things at once – do something I want to do, and do some good at the same time.”
Murphy set out on May 9, and has raised about $3,500, but still needs a lot of help to reach her goal.
There have been some unexpected obstacles along the way, including a five-day stay in Winnipeg after being hit by a car. Murphy was left with stitches in her calf, a cracked helmet, whiplash and some other minor cuts and bruises.
Murphy is surprisingly good-natured about the incident, and isn’t even angry at the driver, who was at fault in the collision. She also takes it one day at a time, and isn’t too concerned about sticking to a strict schedule.
“I don’t have a real, definite plan. I didn’t want to because you never know what will happen on the road,” she said.
Another adventure occurred without her even being aware that it was happening.
Murphy stopped for a rest and a visit with her mom in Ontario, when she was approached by a woman she had never seen before. The woman ran up to her, shouting that she just had to see this video she had taken shortly before.
Thinking at first that the woman might be intoxicated, Murphy heard her out anyway, and soon understood why she was so worked up.
The video began with a clip of a bear on the side of the road, a common enough occurrence in that area.
Suddenly, Murphy herself came cycling into view. Sporting a hat and visor, sunglasses and headphones, Murphy was blissfully unaware that she was cycling just a few feet away from the huge predator. She continued to watch, shocked, as the bear stood up on its hind legs as she approached it.
“There I was, probably five feet away from a bear, and I had no idea,” Murphy laughed.
Luckily, the bear wasn’t interested in chasing her, and simply watched her cycle away.
Aside from the crash and her close encounter with a bear, Murphy has had a blast travelling across the country and meeting people along the way.
“I guess it just makes me proud to be Canadian. Everybody’s very generous - and fun.”
If you would like to make a donation to support Niki Murphy, her niece Gracie and Free the Children, go to www.powerofagirl.wordpress.com.
